Low MAOA has been linked to reduced volume in the amygdala the emotional center of the brain while physical child abuse can damage the frontal part of the brain, resulting in a double hit.

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Turns out that the part of the brain that is occupied with memorizing irrelevant illogical information such as random digits, is the same (pre-frontal cortex) part that is charged with exercising self control.

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The most active areas in the untreated animals, compared with the controls, were a part of the pre-frontal cortex, and also the amygdala an almond-shaped structure deep in the brain that is believed to be the seat of emotion.

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For the most part, the regions are in the frontal cortex the overhang of brain behind the eyes and include the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, the anterior prefrontal cortex, the anterior cingulate, and the right and left inferior frontal gyri.

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The mechanism behind this bias appears to be located in a specific part of the brain, the left inferior frontal gyrus, which is involved in language, among other functions.

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