VIOLENCE AND THE BRAIN: NEUROBIOLOGY AND PREVENTION

Violence and aggression constitute some of the major problems of public health in our society nowadays. The 49th World Health Assembly established that violence prevention is the first public health priority. According to the FBI Uniform Crime Report, in the U.S.A. in 2005 occurred 1,390,695 violent crimes, which represents an increase of 2,3% between 2004 and 2005.

The World Health Organization (WHO) reported violence as the first death cause among people from 15 to 44 years old. In Latin America, deaths on a weekend in cosmopolitan cities (such as Caracas, Medellin or Sao Paulo) are greater than in Kosovo during the war, according to a study by Briceño-Leon. In Brazil, the National Public Safety Secretariat (SENASP) issued a report that confirms that homicides represent 19,8% of all deaths by external causes in 1980. In 2003, those rates reached 40,3% of total deaths by external causes.

Our proposition is that a study of the human violence through a neurobiology perspective will facilitate the understanding of the problem and assist in the prevention of disorders associated to aggressive and violent behaviours. Presently, there are many studies establishing the relation between neurotransmitters as serotonin, dopamine and nor-adrenaline with aggressive and impulsive behaviours.

On these aspects, it is important to emphasize that the neurochemistry of behaviour does not correspond to biological determinism. Neurotransmitters show individual changes due to life experiences, social status and diet. We also know there is a correlation between serotonin levels and behaviours such as suicide, alcohol abuse, impulsive homicide and arsonism. The challenge now is how to apply these findings in the establishment of public policies involving crimes and the Law

Ana Clelia de Freitas is a Medical doctor, poet and writer. She has works published on the press and on scientific books. Medical Residence on General Surgery and Dermatology. Post-Graduation on Criminal Sciences. Presently earning a Master Degree on Criminal Sciences.

Portuguese and English teacher. She took part on João Pinheiro Literary Competition, with her tale published on the book: “The Tale on Literature” and also has her biography published on the book Writers’ Biographical Dictionary.

Ana Clélia is a member of Brazilian Dermatological Society, Brazilian Society of Neurosciences and Behaviour, International Brain Research Organization, Canadá, Brazilian Association of Biological Psychiatry, Neuroethics Society, USA, World Federation of Societies of Biological Psychiatry and Brazilian Union of Writers. She has proficiency on English by PUC-RS.

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A Sioux Prayer

(Translated by Chief Yellow Lark - 1887)

Oh, Great Spirit, whose voice I hear in the winds
Whose breath gives life to the world, hear me
I come to you as one of your many children
I am small and weak
I need your strength and wisdom

May I walk in beauty
Make my eyes ever behold the red and purple sunset.
Make my hands respect the things you have made
And my ears sharp to your voice.
Make me wise so that I may know the things you have taught your children.

The lessons you have written in every leaf and rock
Make me strong--------!
Not to be superior to my brothers, but to fight my greatest enemy....myself

Make me ever ready to come to you with straight eyes,
So that when life fades as the fading sunset,
May my spirit come to you without shame.

An Aztec Prayer

(Reportedly translated from an original dating from the 1500's)

Lord most giving and resourceful, I implore you;
make it your will that this people enjoy the goods and riches you naturally give,
that naturally issue from you,
that are pleasing and savory,
that delight and comfort,
though lasting but briefly, passing away as if in a dream.

Prayer from Qumram

"I will bless Him for His exceeding wonderful deeds
at the beginning of fear and dread
and in the abode of distress and desolation.

I will meditate on His power
and will lean on His mercies all day long.

I know that judgement of all the living
is in His hand,
and that all His deeds are truth.

I will praise Him when distress is unleashed
and will magnify Him also because of His salvation.

I will pay no man the reward of evil;
I will pursue him with goodness
For judgement of all the living is with God
and it is He who will render to man his reward.

As for me,
my justification is with God.
In His hand are the perfection of my way.

He that is everlasting
is the support of my right hand;
the way of my steps is over stout rock
which nothing shall shake".