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Dispositional Negative Emotionality in Childhood and Adolescence Predicts Structural Variation in the Amygdala and Caudal Anterior Cingulate During Early Adulthood: Theoretically and Empirically Based Tests. Res Child Adolesc Psychopathol 2021; 49:1275-1288. [PMID: 33871795 DOI: 10.1007/s10802-021-00811-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Substantial evidence implicates the amygdala and related structures in the processing of negative emotions. Furthermore, neuroimaging evidence suggests that variations in amygdala volumes are related to trait-like individual differences in neuroticism/negative emotionality, although many questions remain about the nature of such associations. We conducted planned tests of the directional prediction that dispositional negative emotionality measured at 10-17 years using parent and youth ratings on the Child and Adolescent Dispositions Scale (CADS) would predict larger volumes of the amygdala in adulthood and conducted exploratory tests of associations with other regions implicated in emotion processing. Participants were 433 twins strategically selected for neuroimaging during wave 2 from wave 1 of the Tennessee Twins Study (TTS) by oversampling on internalizing and/or externalizing psychopathology risk. Controlling for age, sex, race-ethnicity, handedness, scanner, and total brain volume, youth-rated negative emotionality positively predicted bilateral amygdala volumes after correction for multiple testing. Each unit difference of one standard deviation (SD) in negative emotionality was associated with a .12 SD unit difference in larger volumes of both amygdalae. Parent-rated negative emotionality predicted greater thickness of the left caudal/dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (β = 0.28). Associations of brain structure with negative emotionality were not moderated by sex. These results are striking because dispositions assessed at 10-17 years of age were predictive of grey matter volumes measured 12-13 years later in adulthood. Future longitudinal studies should examine the timing of amygdala/cingulate associations with dispositional negative emotionality to determine when these associations emerge during development.
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Allen TA, Schreiber AM, Hall NT, Hallquist MN. From Description to Explanation: Integrating Across Multiple Levels of Analysis to Inform Neuroscientific Accounts of Dimensional Personality Pathology. J Pers Disord 2020; 34:650-676. [PMID: 33074057 PMCID: PMC7583665 DOI: 10.1521/pedi.2020.34.5.650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Dimensional approaches to psychiatric nosology are rapidly transforming the way researchers and clinicians conceptualize personality pathology, leading to a growing interest in describing how individuals differ from one another. Yet, in order to successfully prevent and treat personality pathology, it is also necessary to explain the sources of these individual differences. The emerging field of personality neuroscience is well-positioned to guide the transition from description to explanation within personality pathology research. However, establishing comprehensive, mechanistic accounts of personality pathology will require personality neuroscientists to move beyond atheoretical studies that link trait differences to neural correlates without considering the algorithmic processes that are carried out by those correlates. We highlight some of the dangers we see in overpopulating personality neuroscience with brain-trait associational studies and offer a series of recommendations for personality neuroscientists seeking to build explanatory theories of personality pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Nathan T. Hall
- Department of Psychology, The Pennsylvania State University
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Franz CE, Hatton SN, Hauger RL, Kredlow MA, Dale AM, Eyler L, McEvoy LK, Fennema-Notestine C, Hagler D, Jacobson KC, McKenzie RE, Panizzon MS, Gustavson DE, Xian H, Toomey R, Beck A, Stevens S, Tu X, Lyons MJ, Kremen WS. Posttraumatic stress symptom persistence across 24 years: association with brain structures. Brain Imaging Behav 2020; 14:1208-1220. [PMID: 30830577 PMCID: PMC6722032 DOI: 10.1007/s11682-019-00059-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is known to persist, eliciting early medical co-morbidity, and accelerated aging. Although PTSD diagnosis has been found to be associated with smaller volume in multiple brain regions, posttraumatic stress (PTS) symptoms and their associations with brain morphometry are rarely assessed over long periods of time. We predicted that persistent PTS symptoms across ~24 years would be inversely associated with hippocampal, amygdala, anterior cingulate volumes, and hippocampal occupancy (HOC = hippocampal volume/[hippocampal volume + inferior lateral ventricle volume]) in late middle age. Exploratory analyses examined prefrontal regions. We assessed PTS symptoms in 247 men at average ages 38 (time 1) and 62 (time 2). All were trauma-exposed prior to time 1. Brain volumes were assessed at time 2 using 3 T structural magnetic resonance imaging. Symptoms were correlated over time (r = 0.46 p < .0001). Higher PTS symptoms averaged over time and symptoms at time 1 were both associated with lower hippocampal, amygdala, rostral middle frontal gyrus (MFG), and medial orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) volumes, and a lower HOC ratio at time 2. Increased PTS symptomatology from time 1 to time 2 was associated with smaller hippocampal volume. Results for hippocampal, rostral MFG and medial OFC remained significant after omitting individuals above the threshold for PTSD diagnosis. Even at sub-diagnostic threshold levels, PTS symptoms were present decades after trauma exposure in parallel with highly correlated structural deficits in brain regions regulating stress responsivity and adaptation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carol E Franz
- Department of Psychiatry MC 0738, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.
| | - Sean N Hatton
- Department of Psychiatry MC 0738, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
- Department of Radiology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Richard L Hauger
- Department of Psychiatry MC 0738, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
- Center of Excellence for Stress and Mental Health, VA San Diego Healthcare System, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - M Alexandra Kredlow
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Anders M Dale
- Department of Radiology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Lisa Eyler
- Department of Psychiatry MC 0738, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Linda K McEvoy
- Department of Radiology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Christine Fennema-Notestine
- Department of Psychiatry MC 0738, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
- Department of Radiology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Donald Hagler
- Department of Radiology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Kristen C Jacobson
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
| | - Ruth E McKenzie
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Matthew S Panizzon
- Department of Psychiatry MC 0738, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Daniel E Gustavson
- Department of Psychiatry MC 0738, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Hong Xian
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, St Louis University, St Louis, MO, 60134, USA
| | - Rosemary Toomey
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Asad Beck
- Department of Psychology, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, 92182, USA
| | - Samantha Stevens
- Department of Psychiatry MC 0738, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Xin Tu
- Department of Family Medicine and Public Health, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Michael J Lyons
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - William S Kremen
- Department of Psychiatry MC 0738, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
- Center of Excellence for Stress and Mental Health, VA San Diego Healthcare System, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
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Hou B, Ji L, Chen Z, An L, Zhang N, Ren D, Yuan F, Liu L, Bi Y, Guo Z, Ma G, Xu F, Yang F, Yu S, Yi Z, Xu Y, He L, Liu C, Bai B, Wu S, Zhao L, Cai C, Yu T, He G, Shi Y, Li X. Role of rs454214 in Personality mediated Depression and Subjective Well-being. Sci Rep 2020; 10:5702. [PMID: 32231262 PMCID: PMC7105480 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-62486-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2019] [Accepted: 03/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Happiness and depression are interlinked and both heritable, while personality, as an important predictor of them, shares the genetic basis with them. We conjecture that genetic factors of depression can affect both depressive symptoms (DS) and subjective well-being (SWB), while personality traits play important roles in mediating this process. In this study, 878 Han Chinese college freshmen and 384 Han Chinese patients with the major depressive disorder (MDD) were included. SNPs were genotyped using AGENA MassARRAY iPLEX technology and we investigated an important MDD variant rs454214. Correlation, association and mediation analysis were employed, aiming to decipher the complex relationship between SWB, DS, personality traits and the genetic variant. Association study indicated that rs454214 was not only associated with both SWB and DS (P < 0.05), but also possibly linked to MDD. Mediational analysis showed that rs454214 had no direct effect on SWB and DS, but had a significant indirect effect through personality traits, i.e., Extraversion, Neuroticism, Agreeableness and Openness to Experience or SWB, Extraversion, Neuroticism and Agreeableness for DS. This study found a shared genetic basis for happiness and depression; the causal process could be better explained if personality traits are taken as mediating factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Binyin Hou
- Bio-X Institutes, Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Developmental and Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1954 Huashan Road, Shanghai, 200030, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, and Brain Science and Technology Research Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1954 Huashan Road, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Lei Ji
- Bio-X Institutes, Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Developmental and Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1954 Huashan Road, Shanghai, 200030, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, and Brain Science and Technology Research Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1954 Huashan Road, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Zhixuan Chen
- Bio-X Institutes, Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Developmental and Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1954 Huashan Road, Shanghai, 200030, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, and Brain Science and Technology Research Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1954 Huashan Road, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Lin An
- Bio-X Institutes, Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Developmental and Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1954 Huashan Road, Shanghai, 200030, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, and Brain Science and Technology Research Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1954 Huashan Road, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Naixin Zhang
- Bio-X Institutes, Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Developmental and Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1954 Huashan Road, Shanghai, 200030, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, and Brain Science and Technology Research Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1954 Huashan Road, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Decheng Ren
- Bio-X Institutes, Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Developmental and Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1954 Huashan Road, Shanghai, 200030, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, and Brain Science and Technology Research Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1954 Huashan Road, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Fan Yuan
- Bio-X Institutes, Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Developmental and Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1954 Huashan Road, Shanghai, 200030, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, and Brain Science and Technology Research Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1954 Huashan Road, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Liangjie Liu
- Bio-X Institutes, Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Developmental and Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1954 Huashan Road, Shanghai, 200030, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, and Brain Science and Technology Research Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1954 Huashan Road, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Yan Bi
- Bio-X Institutes, Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Developmental and Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1954 Huashan Road, Shanghai, 200030, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, and Brain Science and Technology Research Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1954 Huashan Road, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Zhenming Guo
- Bio-X Institutes, Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Developmental and Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1954 Huashan Road, Shanghai, 200030, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, and Brain Science and Technology Research Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1954 Huashan Road, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Gaini Ma
- Bio-X Institutes, Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Developmental and Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1954 Huashan Road, Shanghai, 200030, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, and Brain Science and Technology Research Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1954 Huashan Road, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Fei Xu
- Bio-X Institutes, Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Developmental and Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1954 Huashan Road, Shanghai, 200030, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, and Brain Science and Technology Research Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1954 Huashan Road, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Fengping Yang
- Bio-X Institutes, Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Developmental and Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1954 Huashan Road, Shanghai, 200030, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, and Brain Science and Technology Research Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1954 Huashan Road, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Shunying Yu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, and Brain Science and Technology Research Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1954 Huashan Road, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Zhenghui Yi
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, and Brain Science and Technology Research Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1954 Huashan Road, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Yifeng Xu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, and Brain Science and Technology Research Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1954 Huashan Road, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Lin He
- Bio-X Institutes, Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Developmental and Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1954 Huashan Road, Shanghai, 200030, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, and Brain Science and Technology Research Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1954 Huashan Road, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Chuanxin Liu
- School of Mental Health, Jining Medical University, 16 Hehua Rd, Taibaihu New District, Jining, Shandong, 272067, China
| | - Bo Bai
- School of Mental Health, Jining Medical University, 16 Hehua Rd, Taibaihu New District, Jining, Shandong, 272067, China
| | - Shaochang Wu
- Lishui No.2 People's Hospital, 69 Beihuan Rd, Liandu District, Lishui, Zhejiang, 323000, China
| | - Longyou Zhao
- Lishui No.2 People's Hospital, 69 Beihuan Rd, Liandu District, Lishui, Zhejiang, 323000, China
| | - Changqun Cai
- Wuhu No.4 People's Hospital, 1 Xuxiashan Rd, Wuhu, Anhui, 241002, China
| | - Tao Yu
- Bio-X Institutes, Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Developmental and Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1954 Huashan Road, Shanghai, 200030, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, and Brain Science and Technology Research Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1954 Huashan Road, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Guang He
- Bio-X Institutes, Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Developmental and Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1954 Huashan Road, Shanghai, 200030, China.
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, and Brain Science and Technology Research Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1954 Huashan Road, Shanghai, 200030, China.
| | - Yi Shi
- Bio-X Institutes, Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Developmental and Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1954 Huashan Road, Shanghai, 200030, China.
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, and Brain Science and Technology Research Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1954 Huashan Road, Shanghai, 200030, China.
| | - Xingwang Li
- Bio-X Institutes, Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Developmental and Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1954 Huashan Road, Shanghai, 200030, China.
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, and Brain Science and Technology Research Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1954 Huashan Road, Shanghai, 200030, China.
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Kong F, Yang K, Sajjad S, Yan W, Li X, Zhao J. Neural correlates of social well-being: gray matter density in the orbitofrontal cortex predicts social well-being in emerging adulthood. Soc Cogn Affect Neurosci 2020; 14:319-327. [PMID: 30715518 PMCID: PMC6399614 DOI: 10.1093/scan/nsz008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2018] [Revised: 01/06/2019] [Accepted: 01/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Social well-being reflects the perception of one’s social functioning, which plays an important role in physical and psychological health. However, the exact neuroanatomical substrate for social well-being remains unclear. To address the issue, we employed the voxel-based morphometry method to probe the neuroanatomical basis of individual variation in social well-being in young healthy adults (n = 136). The results revealed a significant negative association between social well-being and regional gray matter density (rGMD) in an anatomical cluster that mainly includes the left orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) that has been involved in emotion regulation and social cognition. Furthermore, a balanced 4-fold cross-validation using the machine learning approach revealed that rGMD in the left OFC could be reliably related to social well-being. More importantly, the multiple mediation analysis revealed that neuroticism and dispositional forgiveness independently mediated the association between rGMD in the left OFC and social well-being. In addition, all these results remained stable when subjective socioeconomic status was controlled. Together, our results provide the initial evidence that the OFC is a neuroanatomical substrate for social well-being and demonstrate that the OFC is a crucial neural site linking neuroticism and dispositional forgiveness to social well-being.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Kong
- School of Psychology, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China
| | - Kairong Yang
- School of Psychology, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China
| | - Sonia Sajjad
- School of Psychology, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China
| | - Wenjing Yan
- School of Psychology, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China
| | - Xuewen Li
- School of Psychology, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China
| | - Jingjing Zhao
- School of Psychology, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China
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Neuroanatomical Correlates of Hierarchical Personality Traits in Chimpanzees: Associations with Limbic Structures. PERSONALITY NEUROSCIENCE 2018; 1:e4. [PMID: 32435726 PMCID: PMC7219892 DOI: 10.1017/pen.2018.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
A converging literature has revealed the existence of a set of largely consistent, hierarchically organized personality traits, that is broader traits are able to be differentiated into more fine-grained traits, in both humans and chimpanzees. Despite recent work suggesting a neural basis to personality in chimpanzees, little is known with regard to the involvement of limbic structures (i.e., amygdala and hippocampus), which are thought to play important roles in emotion. Using saved maximum likelihood estimated exploratory factor scores (two to five factors) in the context of a series of path analyses, the current study examined associations among personality dimensions across various levels of the personality hierarchy and individual variability of amygdala and hippocampal grey matter (GM) volume in a sample of captive chimpanzees (N=191). Whereas results revealed no association between personality dimensions and amygdala volume, a more nuanced series of associations emerged between hippocampal GM volume and personality dimensions at various levels of the hierarchy. Hippocampal GM volume associated most notably with Alpha (a dimension reflecting a tendency to behave in an undercontrolled and agonistic way) at the most basic two-factor level of the hierarchy; associated positively with Disinhibition at the next level of the hierarchy (“Big Three”); and finally, associated positively with Impulsivity at the most fine-grained level (“five-factor model”) of the hierarchy. Findings underscore the importance of the hippocampus in the neurobiological foundation of personality, with support for its regulatory role of emotion. Further, results suggest the importance of the distinction between structure and function, particularly with regard to the amygdala.
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Neuroticism is linked to microstructural left-right asymmetry of fronto-limbic fibre tracts in adolescents with opposite effects in boys and girls. Neuropsychologia 2018; 114:1-10. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2018.04.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2017] [Revised: 04/06/2018] [Accepted: 04/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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Lewis GJ, Dickie DA, Cox SR, Karama S, Evans AC, Starr JM, Bastin ME, Wardlaw JM, Deary IJ. Widespread associations between trait conscientiousness and thickness of brain cortical regions. Neuroimage 2018; 176:22-28. [PMID: 29665419 PMCID: PMC5986708 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2018.04.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2017] [Revised: 04/11/2018] [Accepted: 04/13/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The neural correlates of human personality have been of longstanding interest; however, most studies in the field have relied on modest sample sizes and few replicable results have been reported to date. We investigated relationships between personality and brain gray matter in a sample of generally healthy, older (mean age 73 years) adults from Scotland drawn from the Lothian Birth Cohort 1936. Participants (N = 578) completed a brain MRI scan and self-reported Big Five personality trait measures. Conscientiousness trait scores were positively related to brain cortical thickness in a range of regions, including bilateral parahippocampal gyrus, bilateral fusiform gyrus, left cingulate gyrus, right medial orbitofrontal cortex, and left dorsomedial prefrontal cortex. These associations - most notably in frontal regions - were modestly-to-moderately attenuated by the inclusion of biomarker variables assessing allostatic load and smoking status. None of the other personality traits showed robust associations with brain cortical thickness, nor did we observe any personality trait associations with cortical surface area and gray matter volume. These findings indicate that brain cortical thickness is associated with conscientiousness, perhaps partly accounted for by allostatic load and smoking status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gary J Lewis
- Department of Psychology, Royal Holloway, University of London, Egham, Surrey, TW20 0EX, UK.
| | - David Alexander Dickie
- Scottish Imaging Network, A Platform for Scientific Excellence (SINAPSE) Collaboration, Glasgow, UK; Brain Research Imaging Centre, Neuroimaging Sciences, Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, EH4 2XU, UK
| | - Simon R Cox
- Scottish Imaging Network, A Platform for Scientific Excellence (SINAPSE) Collaboration, Glasgow, UK; Department of Psychology, University of Edinburgh, 7 George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9JZ, UK; Centre for Cognitive Ageing and Cognitive Epidemiology, University of Edinburgh, 7 George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9JZ, UK
| | - Sherif Karama
- Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital and Douglas Mental Health University Institute (S.K.), McGill University, Canada
| | - Alan C Evans
- Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital and Douglas Mental Health University Institute (S.K.), McGill University, Canada
| | - John M Starr
- Centre for Cognitive Ageing and Cognitive Epidemiology, University of Edinburgh, 7 George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9JZ, UK; Alzheimer Scotland Dementia Research Centre, University of Edinburgh, 7 George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9JZ, UK
| | - Mark E Bastin
- Scottish Imaging Network, A Platform for Scientific Excellence (SINAPSE) Collaboration, Glasgow, UK; Brain Research Imaging Centre, Neuroimaging Sciences, Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, EH4 2XU, UK; Centre for Cognitive Ageing and Cognitive Epidemiology, University of Edinburgh, 7 George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9JZ, UK
| | - Joanna M Wardlaw
- Scottish Imaging Network, A Platform for Scientific Excellence (SINAPSE) Collaboration, Glasgow, UK; Brain Research Imaging Centre, Neuroimaging Sciences, Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, EH4 2XU, UK; Centre for Cognitive Ageing and Cognitive Epidemiology, University of Edinburgh, 7 George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9JZ, UK
| | - Ian J Deary
- Department of Psychology, University of Edinburgh, 7 George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9JZ, UK; Centre for Cognitive Ageing and Cognitive Epidemiology, University of Edinburgh, 7 George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9JZ, UK
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Frühholz S, Schlegel K, Grandjean D. Amygdala structure and core dimensions of the affective personality. Brain Struct Funct 2017; 222:3915-3925. [PMID: 28512686 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-017-1444-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2017] [Accepted: 05/11/2017] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
While biological models of human personality propose that socio-affective traits and skills are rooted in the structure of the amygdala, empirical evidence remains sparse and inconsistent. Here, we used a comprehensive assessment of the affective personality and tested its association with global, local, and laterality measures of the amygdala structure. Results revealed three broad dimensions of the affective personality that were differentially related to bilateral amygdala structures. Dysfunctional and maladaptive affective traits were associated with a global size and local volume reduction of the amygdala, whereas adaptive emotional skills were linked to an increased size of the left amygdala. Furthermore, reduced asymmetry in the bilateral global amygdala volume was linked to higher affective instability and might be a potential precursor of psychiatric disorders. This study demonstrates that structural amygdala measures provide a neural basis for all major dimensions of the human personality related to adaptive and maladaptive socio-affective functioning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sascha Frühholz
- Department of Psychology, University of Zurich, Binzmühlestrasse 14/18, 8050, Zurich, Switzerland.
- Neuroscience Center Zurich, University of Zurich and ETH Zurich, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland.
- Center for Integrative Human Physiology (ZIHP), University of Zurich, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland.
- Swiss Center for Affective Sciences, University of Geneva, 1202, Geneva, Switzerland.
| | - Katja Schlegel
- Swiss Center for Affective Sciences, University of Geneva, 1202, Geneva, Switzerland
- Institute for Psychology, University of Bern, 3012, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Didier Grandjean
- Swiss Center for Affective Sciences, University of Geneva, 1202, Geneva, Switzerland
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Bas-Hoogendam JM, Blackford JU, Brühl AB, Blair KS, van der Wee NJ, Westenberg PM. Neurobiological candidate endophenotypes of social anxiety disorder. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2016; 71:362-378. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2016.08.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2016] [Revised: 07/15/2016] [Accepted: 08/31/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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Bilgi MM, Simsek F, Akan ST, Aksoy B, Kitis O, Gonul AS. The Common Brain Structures Correlated with Personality Traits in Healthy Mothers and Their Daughters. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2016. [DOI: 10.5455/bcp.20150815033406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Mustafa Melih Bilgi
- Izmir Bozyaka Training and Research Hospital, Psychiatry Clinic, SoCAT Neuroscience Research Group, Izmir - Turkey
| | - Fatma Simsek
- Izmir Karsiyaka State Hospital, Psychiatry Clinic, SoCAT Neuroscience Research Group, Izmir - Turkey
| | - Sebnem Tunay Akan
- Ege University, School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, SoCAT Neuroscience Research Group, Izmir - Turkey
| | - Burcu Aksoy
- Dokuz Eylul Univesity, School of Nursing, SoCAT Neuroscience Research Group, Izmir - Turkey
| | - Omer Kitis
- Ege University, School of Medicine, Department of Radiology, SoCAT Neuroscience Research Group, Izmir - Turkey
| | - Ali Saffet Gonul
- Izmir Ege School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, SoCAT Neuroscience Research Group, Izmir - Turkey
- Mercer University, School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Macon - Georgia
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13
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Ma G, Fan H, Shen C, Wang W. Genetic and Neuroimaging Features of Personality Disorders: State of the Art. Neurosci Bull 2016; 32:286-306. [PMID: 27037690 DOI: 10.1007/s12264-016-0027-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2016] [Accepted: 03/03/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Personality disorders often act as a common denominator for many psychiatric problems, and studies on personality disorders contribute to the etiopathology, diagnosis, and treatment of many mental disorders. In recent years, increasing evidence from various studies has shown distinctive features of personality disorders, and that from genetic and neuroimaging studies has been especially valuable. Genetic studies primarily target the genes encoding neurotransmitters and enzymes in the serotoninergic and dopaminergic systems, and neuroimaging studies mainly focus on the frontal and temporal lobes as well as the limbic-paralimbic system in patients with personality disorders. Although some studies have suffered due to unclear diagnoses of personality disorders and some have included few patients for a given personality disorder, great opportunities remain for investigators to launch new ideas and technologies in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guorong Ma
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychiatry, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China.,Department of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences, Zhejiang University College of Science, Hangzhou, 310007, China
| | - Hongying Fan
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychiatry, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Chanchan Shen
- Department of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences, Zhejiang University College of Science, Hangzhou, 310007, China
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychiatry, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China. .,Department of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences, Zhejiang University College of Science, Hangzhou, 310007, China.
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14
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Gibb BE, McGeary JE, Beevers CG. Attentional biases to emotional stimuli: Key components of the RDoC constructs of sustained threat and loss. Am J Med Genet B Neuropsychiatr Genet 2016; 171B:65-80. [PMID: 26369836 PMCID: PMC5664953 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.b.32383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2015] [Accepted: 09/01/2015] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Biased attention to emotional stimuli plays a key role in the RDoC constructs of Sustained Threat and Loss. In this article, we review approaches to assessing these biases, their links with psychopathology, and the underlying neural influences. We then review evidence from twin and candidate gene studies regarding genetic influences on attentional biases. We also discuss the impact of developmental and environmental influences and end with a number of suggestions for future research in this area.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - John E. McGeary
- Providence Veterans Affairs Medical Center
- Division of Behavioral Genetics, Rhode Island Hospital
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Brown University
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