# Neuro-functional correlates of personality dimensions in Parkinson’s disease

## TL;DR

This study explores how personality traits in Parkinson’s disease patients relate to brain connectivity patterns linked to dopamine and serotonin systems.

## Contribution

It identifies specific brain connectivity patterns associated with Novelty Seeking and Harm Avoidance in Parkinson’s disease.

## Key findings

- Novelty Seeking scores correlate with connectivity in the nucleus accumbens and orbitofrontal cortex.
- Harm Avoidance scores correlate with connectivity in the temporal pole and multiple brain regions.
- These connectivities also correlate with anxiety and depression scores.

## Abstract

According to the original model of the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI), personality dimensions would be related to different neurotransmitters’ systems such as the dopaminergic and the serotoninergic ones.

Our objective was to study associations between functional connectivity and personality in Parkinson’s disease (PD). The data of 29 PD patients were collected (NCT04705207). It included personality evaluation using the TCI, functional connectivity from resting-state functional MRI, and anxio-depressive state from the Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale (HAD). Seed-to-voxels and ROI-to-ROI analyses were done in the CONN toolbox.

Significant association was found between Novelty Seeking scores and functional connectivity within the nucleus accumbens and one cluster formed of the orbitofrontal cortex. Significant associations were also found between Harm Avoidance scores and functional connectivity within the temporal pole and seven clusters (mainly formed of the post- and pre-central gyri, thalami, parietal lobule, putamen and temporal gyrus). These functional connectivities also correlated with HAD scores.

In accordance with the TCI model, Novelty Seeking seems to be related to the dopaminergic system within the nucleus accumbens and orbitofrontal cortex connectivity, implicated in impulsivity. Moreover, Harm Avoidance would be related to the serotoninergic system within the temporal and fronto-thalamo-parietal network connectivity, involved in depressive disorders.

clinicaltrials.gov: NCT04705207 (https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04705207).