Dopaminergic network differences in human impulsivity

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Joshua W. Buckholtz, Vanderbilt University; Michael T. Treadway, Emory University; Ronald L. Cowan, Vanderbilt University; Neil D. Woodward, Vanderbilt University; Rui Li, Vanderbilt University; M. Sib Ansari, Vanderbilt University; Ronald M. Baldwin, Vanderbilt University; Ashley N. Schwartzman, Vanderbilt University; Evan S. Shelby, Vanderbilt University; Clarence E. Smith, Vanderbilt University; Robert M. Kessler, Vanderbilt University; David H. Zald, Vanderbilt University
• Language: English
• Date: 2010-07-30
• Publisher: American Association for the Advancement of Science
• Publication Version: Author Accepted Manuscript (After Peer Review)
• Copyright Statement: © 2019 American Association for the Advancement of Science. All rights reserved.
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/science.1185778
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: Вестник Волгоградского государственног... / Science Journal of Volgograd State University. History. Area Studies. International Relations
• Volume: 329
• Issue: 5991
• Start Page: 532
• End Page: 532
• Keywords: Signal Transduction; Adolescent; Young Adult; Amphetamine-Related Disorders; Ligands; Benzamides; Pyrrolidines; Humans; Receptors, Dopamine D3; Dextroamphetamine; Tegmentum Mesencephali; Impulsive Behavior; Substantia Nigra; Positron-Emission Tomography; Female; Ventral Tegmental Area; Corpus Striatum; Dopamine; Autoreceptors; Adult; Male; Receptors, Dopamine D2
• Research Categories: Health Sciences, Mental Health; Biology, Neuroscience; Psychology, Behavioral

Abstract

Dopamine (DA) has long been implicated in impulsivity, but the precise mechanisms linking human variability in DA signaling to differences in impulsive traits remain largely unknown. By using a dual-scan positron emission tomography approach in healthy human volunteers with amphetamine and the D2/D3 ligand [18F]fallypride, we found that higher levels of trait impulsivity were predicted by diminished midbrain D2/D3 autoreceptor binding and greater amphetamine-induced DA release in the striatum, which was in turn associated with stimulant craving. Path analysis confirmed that the impact of decreased midbrain D2/D3 autoreceptor availability on trait impulsivity is mediated in part through its effect on stimulated striatal DA release.