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Published on: December 2, 2015
Extraversion is linked to volume of the orbitofrontal cortex and amygdala
Henk Cremers1, Marie-José van Tol, Karin Roelofs
1Institute for Psychological Research, Clinical, Health and Neuropsychology Unit, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands. cremershr@fsw.leidenuniv.nl
Extraversion, a personality trait linked to positive emotions, is associated with larger orbitofrontal and amygdala volumes. This suggests brain structure differences may explain why extraverted individuals are less prone to depression and anxiety.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychology
- Brain Imaging
Background:
- Neuroticism and extraversion are key personality traits linked to mood disorders.
- Previous research on neuroticism and brain morphology yielded inconsistent results.
- Extraversion shows an inverse relationship with depression and anxiety symptoms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between extraversion, neuroticism, and brain structure volumes.
- To explore differences in prefrontal and subcortical brain regions related to these personality traits.
Main Methods:
- Utilized high-resolution T1-weighted MRI scans from 65 healthy adults.
- Employed an optimized Voxel Based Morphometry (VBM) approach for image analysis.
- Conducted multiple regression analyses to correlate personality scores with brain volumes.
Main Results:
- Positive correlations found between extraversion and orbitofrontal cortex volume.
- Positive association observed between extraversion and right amygdala volume.
- Extraversion showed differential relationships with anterior cingulate cortex volume in males versus females.
- No significant correlations were found between neuroticism and the studied brain regions.
Conclusions:
- Extraversion is linked to specific brain structures involved in emotion processing, including the orbitofrontal cortex and amygdala.
- These findings suggest that brain morphology associated with extraversion may contribute to a reduced vulnerability for affective disorders.
- The study highlights the role of extraversion as a potential protective factor against depression and anxiety.
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