Out-of-character criminal actions linked to dementia

Conclusion This study looks at an important issue, but it had several limitations that make the results less reliable: It used data on criminal behaviour taken from patients’ medical notes rather than relying on official criminal records. Patients referred to the centre may have had more behavioural problems than those with dementia in the general population. The study cannot show the criminal behaviour was caused by dementia. The study had no control group, so cannot compare crime rates among healthy adults with those with dementia. Dementia can lead to changes in behaviour and, in some people, loss of inhibition and aggression. However, it’s important that people with dementia are not labelled as potential criminals and it should be noted that most are more of a danger to themselves then others. If you are worried about a relative’s behaviour or changes in personality, it is sensible to seek medical advice. Analysis by Bazian. Edited by NHS Choices. Follow Behind the Headlines on Twitter. Join the Healthy Evidence forum. Links To The Headlines Could criminal behaviour be the first sign of DEMENTIA? Offending for the first time in old age may be due to brain damage. Mail Online, December 6 2015 Links To Science Lijegren M, Naasan G, Temlett J, et al. Criminal Behavior in Frontotemporal Dementia and Alzheimer Disease. JAMA Neurology. Published online January 5 2015
Source: NHS News Feed - Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Mental health Neurology Older people Source Type: news