Boytwnmom
Verified Attorney
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tumor would cause the type of violent action seen here. Months of planning and bomb making and steady acquisition of supplies and no other outward signs of violence or aggression don't seem associated with what I've read about violence and brain tumors. Now, I'm a lawyer not a Dr so what do I know but it would seem to defy common sense and be inconsistent with the type of sudden acts generally associated with brain tumors that are linked to violence.
http://www.livestrong.com/article/137061-most-common-brain-tumor-symptoms/
Ah, I found a law review article-I feel more at home. This again seems to indicate impulsivity associated incidents are likely than someone exhibiting basically no sudden acts of aggression but only one incident, long planned. This article also has an overview of the Charles Whitman case which also seems to confirm the event in CO is unlikely to be associated with an individual with a brain tumor. Whitman's behavior changed over time and he was aware of it.
http://www3.law.columbia.edu/hrlr/hrlr_journal/42.2/Lamparello.pdf
Also, that law review article is entitled "USING COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE TO PREDICT FUTURE DANGEROUSNESS" and is fairly interesting and I got caught up in reading it and am now way behind here....
The Brain Science Foundation explains that a tumor growing the left temporal lobe affects behavior, memory and emotions. A lesion in the frontal lobe alters inhibitions, mood, behavior and personality. As a result, alterations in mental status from a brain tumor vary from short-term memory loss to a violent and sudden display of emotion.
http://www.livestrong.com/article/137061-most-common-brain-tumor-symptoms/
Ah, I found a law review article-I feel more at home. This again seems to indicate impulsivity associated incidents are likely than someone exhibiting basically no sudden acts of aggression but only one incident, long planned. This article also has an overview of the Charles Whitman case which also seems to confirm the event in CO is unlikely to be associated with an individual with a brain tumor. Whitman's behavior changed over time and he was aware of it.
Suddenly, however, Whitman began to suffer severe
headaches and frequently grew angry or acted aggressively. He
repeatedly wrote notes reminding himself to control his anger and to
smile.
As he continued to experience increased feelings of anger,
Whitman sought professional help at the University of Texas, where
he admitted to have attacked his wife on two occasions. In addition,
his doctor stated that [h]is real concern is with himself at the
present time. He readily admits having overwhelming periods of
hostility with a very minimum of provocation. [He makes] vivid
reference to thinking about going up on the tower [at the University
of Texas] with a deer rifle and start shooting people [sic].
http://www3.law.columbia.edu/hrlr/hrlr_journal/42.2/Lamparello.pdf
Also, that law review article is entitled "USING COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE TO PREDICT FUTURE DANGEROUSNESS" and is fairly interesting and I got caught up in reading it and am now way behind here....
Anybody can google it all day long. Lots of people with abnormalities in their brain don't go on rampages.