Criminal Behavior Disorders in Wilson's Disease

• NCJ Number: 73137
• Journal: Wiener Zeitschrift fuer Nervenheilkunde Volume: 24 Issue: 4 Dated: (1967) Pages: 313-325
• Author(s): J Gruenberger; W Sluga; H Tschabitscher
• Date Published: 1967
• Length: 13 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: German
• Country: Austria
• Note: Mitteilung, gehalten in Verein fuer Psychiatrie und Neurologie am 21. February 1966. (Communication held at the Society for Psychiatry and Neurology on February 21, 1966)

Annotation

The case study of an offender whose criminal behavior may have been related to the effects of Wilson's Disease is presented in this Austrian paper.

Abstract

Wilson's Disease involves a degeneration of the liver and a resulting disturbance of the metabolism which can lead to brain damage. The study subject was raised by his mother and grandmother. His father was an alcoholic who failed in the attempt to maintain a farm and then separated from his mother. The subject's early development was described as normal: he completed 8 years of school and a job training course. However, at the age of 13, he committed the first of a series of minor property crimes which led to an appearance before a juvenile court and to the loss of his apprenticeship. At the age of 15, he committed his first major crime by inciting other youths to rob his grandmother. This was followed by the destruction of private property and by an attempted robbery. He was then sentenced to a juvenile correctional facility. Here, his mischief-making, openness to the influences of other inmates, indifference to disciplinary measures, and lack of personal hygiene were viewed as grounds for transfer to a psychiatric clinic. Examinations revealed communication difficulties, a slowing of the thinking processes, an inability to concentrate, a dulling of the emotions, an indifference towards his past offenses, a generally euphoric attitude, and an nearly complete lack of self-control. A neurological examination revealed a mask-like deformation of the face into a lifeless expression, occasional rapid head movements, a reduction in the control of facial and arm muscles, and a generally poor posture. Since the subjects's criminal behavior could not be explained as a manifestation of difficulties within the family or school environment, Wilson's disease was viewed as a likely factor in his deviance. Sample examination materials are presented, and a 17-item bibliography is included.--in German.