Association between self-reported impulsiveness and gray matter volume in healthy adults. An exploratory MRI study

This exploratory study investigated the association between self-reported impulsiveness and cortical gray matter volume (GMV) of the entire cortex in healthy adults. As a secondary objective and based on preliminary findings concerning the positive association between self-reported impulsiveness and the slant of the forehead degrees (SFD), we analyzed associations between SFD, GMV and impulsiveness. We obtained 48 structural magnetic resonances. The participants also completed BIS 11 and profile pictures were obtained. SFD was measured by a photographic support and a protractor. The GMV of the whole cortex was obtained for each participant through Freesurfer. Firstly, we found negative and positive correlations between fronto-temporal and occipital areas respectively and BIS. Second, we found negative correlations between SFD and GMV in right postcentral gyrus, right caudal middle frontal gyrus, right transverse temporal cortex and positive correlation in left entorhinal cortex. Third, we observed a positive correlation between SFD and BIS in all impulsiveness scores. In conclusion, variations in fronto-temporal and posterior cerebral areas are crucial for BIS in healthy adults. Furthermore, SFD was associated with BIS and correlated with GMV areas involved in self-reported impulsiveness.