Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Mainz, Mainz, Germany.
Psychiatry Res. 2011 Aug 30;193(2):80-4. doi: 10.1016/j.pscychresns.2011.01.011.
The construct of impulsivity is considered as a major trait of personality. There is growing evidence that the mesolimbic dopamine system plays an important role in the modulation of impulsivity and venturesomeness, the two key components within the impulsivity-construct. The aim of the present study was to explore an association between trait impulsivity measured with self-assessment and the dopaminergic neurotransmission as measured by positron emission tomography (PET) in a cohort of healthy male subjects. In vivo D2/D3 receptor availability was determined with [(18)F]fallypride PET in 18 non-smoking healthy subjects. The character trait impulsivity was measured using the Impulsiveness-Venturesomeness-Empathy questionnaire (I7). Image processing and statistical analysis was performed on a voxel-by-voxel basis using statistical parametric mapping (SPM) software. The I7 subscale venturesomeness correlated positively with the D2/D3 receptor availability within the left temporal cortex and the thalamus. Measures on the I7 subscale impulsiveness and empathy did not correlate with the D2/D3 receptor availability in any brain region investigated. Our results suggest the involvement of extrastriatal dopaminergic neurotransmission in venturesomeness, a component of impulsivity.
冲动性的结构被认为是人格的主要特征之一。越来越多的证据表明，中脑边缘多巴胺系统在冲动性和冒险性的调节中起着重要作用，这两个关键成分构成了冲动性结构。本研究旨在探讨健康男性被试中，使用自我评估测量的特质冲动性与正电子发射断层扫描（PET）测量的多巴胺能神经传递之间的关联。在 18 名不吸烟的健康受试者中，使用 [(18)F]fallypride PET 来确定多巴胺 D2/D3 受体的可用性。使用冲动性-冒险性-共情问卷（I7）来测量性格特质冲动性。使用统计参数映射（SPM）软件对每个体素进行图像处理和统计分析。I7 冒险性分量表与左颞叶皮层和丘脑内的 D2/D3 受体可用性呈正相关。在研究的任何脑区，I7 冲动性分量表和共情得分均与 D2/D3 受体可用性无相关性。我们的结果表明，多巴胺能神经传递在冒险性（冲动性的一个组成部分）中起作用。
