Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
5925544 | Physiology & Behavior | 2012 | 5 Pages |
Personality dimensions have been associated with different psychobiological systems. However, no agreement exists in literature on a specific role of a single neurotransmitter for each of the dimensions investigated. We studied the relationship of Neuroticism, Extraversion and Psychoticism as assessed by Eysenck Personality Inventory (EPI) with spontaneous eye blink rate (BR), a non-invasive measure of central dopamine activity. A total of sixty-three healthy subjects (40 females, 23 males, mean age 24.2 ± 3.9) were studied. Spontaneous blink rate and time of blink suppression were assessed by EOG measurement.Levels of Extraversion and Neuroticism were inversely correlated. In contrast with previous findings, a significant correlation between blink rate measures and Neuroticism was found. No significant correlation between blink measures and either Extraversion, or Psychoticism were found. The results appear consistent with a lower threshold for activation in neuroticism as suggested by Eysenck's original model.
⺠We examine Eysenck's personality dimensions and blink rate. ⺠Blink rate shows a significant positive correlation with Neuroticism. ⺠Blink rate is a measure of dopamine activation and increased arousal. ⺠Subjects with high Neuroticism show increased activation. ⺠Blink rate could identify psychobiological vulnerability to major psychiatric illness.