Brain of Las Vegas killer to go under the knife

Scientists are preparing to do a microscopic study of the Las Vegas gunman’s brain, but experts say whatever they may find probably won’t be what led him to kill 58 people.

Las Vegas authorities said Stephen Paddock’s brain was being sent to Stanford University for an examination expected to take months after a visual inspection during an autopsy found no abnormalities.

Doctors will perform multiple forensic analyses, including an examination of the 64-year-old’s brain tissue to find any possible neurological problems.

If a disease is found, experts say it would be false science to conclude it caused or perhaps even contributed to the worst mass shooting in modern US history.

Such studies are not standard practice. However, National Association of Medical Examiners president Brian Peterson said they were common in high-profile cases such as the mass shooting at a Las Vegas country music festival on 1 October.