Personality and Psychoneuroimmunology: A Systems Biology Perspective

Research in psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) underscores the intricate connections within the "whole mind-body system." Personality plays a pivotal role, with specific traits linked to stress influencing neural behavior and psychophysiological disorders. Gene expression networks associated with personality affect neuronal plasticity, epigenetic processes, and adaptive behaviors, highlighting the importance of systems biology mechanisms. Systemic inflammation correlates with key personality traits. Understanding the roles of inflammatory and oxidative biomarkers in personality traits and disorders can help identify diagnostic and therapeutic targets for various diseases. Neurobiological features contribute to our understanding of personality disorders and related conditions. Personality traits are linked to distributed neuroendocrine networks, particularly the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, rather than localized brain areas. Correlations have also been identified between personality traits and thyroid hormones. Disrupted hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis functions may be associated with disease severity, depression, and distress, highlighting the need for comprehensive endocrinological and psychopathological evaluations. The gut-brain axis influences personality traits, emotions, stress, and social behaviors. Altered gut microbiota is common in psychiatric conditions, suggesting potential treatments targeting the microbiota. Chronic stress impacts cognitive functions and correlates with personality and mental health, emphasizing the need for comprehensive, multi-dimensional patient profiles for effective prevention and therapy. A biopsychosocial model integrating personality traits will advance personalized and systems medicine.