Frontal Lobe Tumor causes Pedophilia in a Man

Neurolgists at the University of Virginia reported that the removal of a frontal lobe tumor ended a male patient's sexual behavior toward children. The patient had begun to have poor sexual impulse control several years eariler. The Tumor actually grew back once, with the sexual behaviors returning. The behaviors ceased again when the second tumor was removed.

We still don't fully understand how the brain controls behavior. We do know that most executive functions such as decision-making are controlled within the frontal lobes, the most highly evolved areas. The CNN report describes the mechanism this way: "Tumors in that area can squeeze enough blood from the region to effectively put it to sleep, dulling someone's judgment in a way that's similar to drinking too much alcohol." Read more, including discussion from neurologists, in this CNN story:

CNN.com - Doctors: Pedophile loses urge after tumor removed - Jul. 29, 2003