Neurochemistry and Personality Traits of Forgiveness in Young Adults: A 1H-MRS Study
Poster No:
665
Submission Type:
Abstract Submission
Authors:
Hirotoshi Hiraishi1, Yasuomi Ouchi1,2
Institutions:
1Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, Japan, 2Hamamatsu Medical Photonics Foundation, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, Japan
First Author:
Co-Author:
Yasuomi Ouchi, MD. PhD.
Hamamatsu University School of Medicine|Hamamatsu Medical Photonics Foundation
Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, Japan|Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, Japan
Hamamatsu University School of Medicine|Hamamatsu Medical Photonics Foundation
Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, Japan|Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, Japan
Introduction:
Forgiveness is essential for maintaining healthy interpersonal relationships within society. Previous studies have used questionnaires to measure trait forgiveness and examine its connections to personality traits. In addition, neurotransmitters significantly influence human behavior and characteristics. Therefore, this study uses various personality questionnaires and magnetic resonance spectroscopy to examine the relationships between forgiveness, personality traits, and neurotransmitters.
Methods:
Twenty-four right-handed healthy university students (10 women) participated in this study. Participants provided written informed consent after our explanation and completed neuropsychological assessments (WAIS-III) and forgiveness-related questionnaires; the TRIM (transgression-related interpersonal motivations scale)-12, PAM (proclivity to apologize measure), and TFS (trait forgiveness scale) and personality traits measured using the NEO-FFI (five-factor inventory) on the first day. On the second day, within six months of the first day, the concentrations of GABA and Glx in the bilateral dorsolateral prefrontal cortices (DLPFC) were measured. We used magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) to measure GABA/Cr and Glx/Cr concentrations in the bilateral DLPFCs to examine the background levels of excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters. MRI was performed using a 3-Tesla scanner (Ingenia; Royal Philips, Eindhoven, Netherlands) with a 15-channel transmitter-receiver coil to scan the head. A T1-weighted sequence was employed for anatomical referencing of the fMRI recording, co-registration, and normalization, as well as for setting locations for MRS measurements. The measurement of neurotransmitters utilized an Ingenia MRI system (Philips, Netherlands) and the MEGA-PRESS method.
Regarding the questionnaire data, the scores were analyzed for each section separately. The t-test and ANOVA were employed to analyze differences in means, and Bonferroni correction was applied for multiple comparisons.
MRS data were analyzed using the software package GANNET. GANNET processes raw time-domain data into a frequency-domain edited spectrum and subsequently performs a nonlinear least-squares fitting procedure. GABA concentration was expressed as GABA/Cr and Glx concentration as Glx/Cr, based on total creatine concentration.
Statistical calculations for scores from forgiveness-related questionnaires and neurotransmitter concentrations were conducted using R. ANOVA was employed to evaluate specific factors, with Bonferroni correction applied for multiple comparison tests. Student's t-test and Welch's two-sample t-test were used to assess factors such as sex and concentration. Correlation analysis was performed using the Pearson's correlation coefficient. All tests were conducted at a significance level of p < 0.05.
Regarding the questionnaire data, the scores were analyzed for each section separately. The t-test and ANOVA were employed to analyze differences in means, and Bonferroni correction was applied for multiple comparisons.
MRS data were analyzed using the software package GANNET. GANNET processes raw time-domain data into a frequency-domain edited spectrum and subsequently performs a nonlinear least-squares fitting procedure. GABA concentration was expressed as GABA/Cr and Glx concentration as Glx/Cr, based on total creatine concentration.
Statistical calculations for scores from forgiveness-related questionnaires and neurotransmitter concentrations were conducted using R. ANOVA was employed to evaluate specific factors, with Bonferroni correction applied for multiple comparison tests. Student's t-test and Welch's two-sample t-test were used to assess factors such as sex and concentration. Correlation analysis was performed using the Pearson's correlation coefficient. All tests were conducted at a significance level of p < 0.05.
Results:
Agreeable individuals, especially men, are more likely to be proactive in forgiving than those who are neurotic or extraverted. Furthermore, the avoidance score was higher than revenge (p = 2.66e-12, t = 9.351) from the TRIM-12 (Upper Fig). We found a significant correlation between GABA/Cr and Glx/Cr concentrations in the left DLPFC (r = 0.46, t = 2.41, df = 22, and p < 0.02) (Lower Fig); individuals who leaned more toward revenge had higher concentrations of left Glx/Cr.
Conclusions:
This finding highlights the interplay between forgiveness, excitatory neurotransmitters, and behavioral tendencies. Identifying the relationship between neurotransmitters and various personality traits, such as impulsivity and mental illness, could lead to effective interventions, improve mental health outcomes, and hold significant social relevance.
·Upper Fig.
·Lower FIg.
Emotion, Motivation and Social Neuroscience:
Social Neuroscience Other 1
Neuroanatomy, Physiology, Metabolism and Neurotransmission:
Transmitter Systems 2
Keywords:
GABA
Glutamate
MR SPECTROSCOPY
Neurotransmitter
Other - DLPFC, forgiveness, personality, resting-state
1|2Indicates the priority used for review
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Provide references using APA citation style.
Goto, N., Yoshimura, R., Moriya, J., Kakeda, S., Hayashi, K., Ueda, N., . . . Nakamura, J. (2010). Critical examination of a correlation between brain gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) concentrations and a personality trait of extroversion in healthy volunteers as measured by a 3 Tesla proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy study. Psychiatry Res, 182(1), 53-57.
Sala, M., Caverzasi, E., Lazzaretti, M., Morandotti, N., De Vidovich, G., Marraffini, E., . . . Brambilla, P. (2011). Dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and hippocampus sustain impulsivity and aggressiveness in borderline personality disorder. J Affect Disord, 131(1-3), 417-421.