Preliminary confirmation of the proposed link between reward-dependence traits and norepinephrine

The tridimensional theory of personality posits that traits belonging to a personality spectrum called ‘reward dependence’ are determined in part by the neurotransmitter norepinephrine (NE). We hypothesized that urinary levels of the NE metabolite 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG) would be sign...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Psychiatry research 1996-11, Vol.65 (1), p.61-64
Main Authors: Garvey, Michael J., Noyes, Russell, Cook, Brian, Blum, Nancee
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
3-Methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol
Adult
Behavioral psychophysiology
Biological and medical sciences
Exploratory Behavior
Female
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Humans
Male
Methoxyhydroxyphenylglycol - urine
Middle Aged
Neurotransmission and behavior
Norepinephrine - physiology
Personality
Personality Assessment
Personality traits
Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry
Psychology. Psychophysiology
Tridimensional Personality Questionnaire
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Summary:The tridimensional theory of personality posits that traits belonging to a personality spectrum called ‘reward dependence’ are determined in part by the neurotransmitter norepinephrine (NE). We hypothesized that urinary levels of the NE metabolite 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG) would be significantly correlated to the reward dependence score on the Tridimensional Personality Questionnaire (TPQ). Twenty-seven never psychiatrically ill subjects collected urine for MHPG measurements and completed the TPQ. There was a significant correlation between the reward dependence score and the level of MHPG. MHPG level was not associated with the other two personality dimensions, novelty seeking and harm avoidance. This preliminary study supports the hypothesis that reward-dependence traits are in part determined by NE.
ISSN:0165-1781
1872-7123
DOI:10.1016/0165-1781(96)02954-X