Brain network topology and personality traits: A source level magnetoencephalographic study

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Psychology
• Brain Imaging

Background:

• Personality neuroscience investigates individual differences via brain network efficiency.
• Magnetoencephalography (MEG) is a key tool for exploring brain network topology.
• Few MEG studies correlate personality traits with brain network properties.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate correlations between Cloninger's psychobiological model traits and specific brain structures using MEG.
• To explore gender-specific differences in personality-trait-related brain topology.

Main Methods:

• Fifty healthy adults (20 males, 30 females) underwent MEG resting-state recordings.
• Participants completed the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI).
• Analysis focused on the correlation between TCI scores and brain network topological properties.

Main Results:

• Higher harm avoidance scores were associated with reduced centrality in the left caudate nucleus.
• This negative correlation was significant in females.
• The caudate nucleus may be a critical node in the insular salience network.

Conclusions:

• Caudate nucleus centrality is linked to personality traits, particularly harm avoidance.
• Topological organization related to personality is gender-dependent.
• Findings offer insights into neural communication efficiency and potential biomarkers for psychopathology.