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Cortical Thickness Links Impulsive Personality Traits and Risky Behavior
Rickie Miglin1, Nadia Bounoua1, Shelly Goodling2
1Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19713, USA.
Brain Sciences
|December 19, 2019
Summary
Neuroimaging reveals that reduced cortical thickness in the right pericalcarine cortex is linked to sensation seeking and risky behavior. This finding offers insight into the neurobiology of impulsivity and risk-taking.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychology
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Impulsive personality traits frequently predict risky behavior.
- The neurobiological underpinnings of this relationship are not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between cortical mantle thickness and impulsive traits.
- To determine if cortical thickness variations explain recent risky behavior.
Main Methods:
- Utilized neuroimaging on 107 adults (ages 18-55).
- Administered self-report measures for impulsive traits and risky behavior.
- Analyzed cortical mantle thickness using the UPPS-P Impulsive Behavior Scale's three-factor model.
Main Results:
- Identified three cortical thickness clusters associated with impulsive traits.
- Sensation seeking negatively correlated with right pericalcarine cortex thickness.
- Impulsive urgency positively correlated with left superior parietal and right paracentral lobule thickness.
- Right pericalcarine cortex thickness related to recent risky behavior, mediating the sensation seeking-risky behavior link.
Conclusions:
- Reduced right pericalcarine cortex thickness partially explains the link between sensation seeking and risky behavior.
- Provides novel insights into the neurobiological basis of impulsivity and risk-taking behavior.
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