Temperament and character inventory (TCI) personality profile in metamphetamine abusers: a controlled study

Common Features in Compulsive Sexual Behavior, Substance Use Disorders, Personality, Temperament, and Attachment-A Narrative Review

Do addictions share common traits of an “addictive personality” or do different addictions have distinct personality profiles? This narrative review examines the differences in the associations between substance use disorder (SUD) and compulsive sexual behavior disorder (CSBD), on the one hand, and personality traits, attachment dispositions, and temperament, on the other hand. We found that both people with a SUD and people with CSBD tended to be more spontaneous, careless, and less reliable, to place self-interest above getting along with others, to show emotional instability and experience negative emotions such as anger, anxiety, and/or depression, to be less able to control their attention and/or behavior, and to be engulfed with a constant sensation of “wanting”. Only people with CSBD, but not SUD, noted concerns with their social ties, fear of losing close others, and/or trusting others around them. Results also suggested that people with a SUD and people with CSBD share high commonalities in personality traits and temperament, yet there are noted differences in their social tendencies, especially with close others. People with CSBD reported more concerns with possible relationship losses compared to people with SUD issues, who may be more worried about losing their source of escapism.

Temperament and character of patients with alcohol toxicity during COVID - 19 pandemic

BACKGROUND

Corona virus epidemic may be acts as a stressor or trauma that affects both physical health and mental health. People exhibited various reactive behaviors to confront with this stressful situation. In Iran, one of the common motives for alcohol consumption is to scape problems and cope with stresses. It has been shown that personality factors influence alcohol consumption, since they are associated with drinking motives. The main purpose of this study was to investigate the correlation between temperament and character and alcohol abuse.

METHODS

This cross-section study was conducted on 135 alcohol intoxicated patients admitted to emergency room in March 2020 and 255 participants who were randomly selected from public in Shiraz. A questionnaire consisted of TCI (Temperament and character inventory) and several questions about COVID-19 pandemic. It was completed by a trained interviewer using the matched answer technique. Demographic factors were self-reported.

RESULTS

Among the alcohol intoxicated group, 117 (86.7%) were males and 18(13.3%) were females. The mean age of the participants was 32.43 ± 10.81 years. Among control group, 99 (38.8%) were males and 156 (61.2%) were females. The mean age of control group was 33.12 ± 14.77 years. Alcohol toxicity was mostly observed among the young males (male/female ratio was 6.45). According to temperament and character index, mean scores of novelty seeking, harm avoidant, and self-transcendence were higher in the alcohol toxicity group than normal population (P < 0.01). Mean scores of reward dependent, cooperativeness, and self-directedness were higher in normal population than the alcohol toxicity group (P < 0.001). The mean score of persistence was not significantly different between methanol intoxicated and normal population groups (P = 0.718).

CONCLUSION

Alcohol intoxicated patients had higher scores of novelty-seeking and self-transcendence and lower scores of reward-dependency scores, cooperativeness and self-directedness. These scores are associated with higher likelihood of personality disorders.

Interpersonal Risk Factors for Suicide in Cocaine Dependence: Association with Self-Esteem, Personality Traits, and Childhood Abuse

OBJECTIVE

Studies have linked cocaine dependence to suicidality. According to the Interpersonal Theory of Suicide, suicidal behavior becomes likely with the simultaneous presence of perceived burdensomeness (PB), lack of (or thwarted) belongingness (TB), and acquired fearlessness about death (FAD). Here, we examined personality and other variables, including depression, self-esteem, childhood abuse, and substance use, as predictors of these risk factors in cocaine-dependent individuals (CDs).

METHODS

Seventy CDs and 70 healthy controls (HCs) participated. We examined group differences in a group-by-sex analysis of variance and identified predictors of PB, TB, and FAD in stepwise regressions.

RESULTS

CDs exhibited elevated PB and TB but not FAD, compared to HCs. CDs also exhibited elevated harm avoidance, novelty seeking, depression, and lower self-esteem and reward dependence. Females reported elevated sexual abuse, harm avoidance, reward dependence, depression, but lower FAD, relative to males, among CDs and HCs. Among CDs, PB was predicted by lower self-esteem and greater emotional abuse; TB was predicted by lower self-esteem and reward dependence, as well as greater emotional and sexual abuse; and FAD was predicted by lower harm avoidance and greater physical abuse.

CONCLUSIONS

Interventions targeting suicidality in cocaine dependence should take into consideration self-esteem, personality traits, and childhood abuse.

The relationship of personality traits to substance abuse in patients with bipolar disorder

Purpose

The aim of this study is to determine if personality traits contribute to the likelihood of substance abuse in Bipolar Disorder (BD).

Subjects/materials and methods

Fifty-nine patients meeting DSM-IV criteria for BD: 20 without any history of Substance Related Disorder (SRD), 21 with a lifetime history of SRD but without current SRD, and 18 with current SRD. Patients filled out the TCI, the differences were analyzed by ANOVA and the likelihood was obtained by Multinomial Logistic Regression.

Results

Only Novelty Seeking (NS) is statistically different between the groups. Patients with BD with current SRD have higher rates in NS than those with past SRD, and those without a history of SRD. NS was confirmed as a predicting variable, both to current SRD (OR [CI 95%] = 1.039/1.351; p = 0.011) and past SRD (OR [CI 95%] = 1.004/1.277; p = 0.042) on patients with BD.

Discussion

The results shown would appear to confirm the relationship of NS with the SRD, so long as there is no clear evidence that indicates the association of NS with BD.

Conclusions

There appears a greater predisposition to develop SRD in those patients with a higher degree of NS. The use of the Cloninger's TCI could be used in BD to determine the risk of developing an SRD. Early detection might help improve prognosis.

Specific personality traits and associated psychosocial distresses among individuals with heroin or methamphetamine use disorder in Taiwan

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

Previous studies showed the association between substance use disorders (SUDs) and borderline and antisocial personality disorders. Substance abusers may have emotional, somatic and interpersonal distresses. This study aimed to investigate the associations between substance, personality and psychosocial distresses.

METHODS

This cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study recruited 39 individuals with heroin use disorder (HUD), 111 with methamphetamine use disorder (MUD) and 101 as the control group in a rural area of Taiwan. The Tridimensional Personality Questionnaire (TPQ) and Opiate Treatment Index were used to assess the association between personality and psychosocial conditions. Deviations of the three personality dimensions of TPQ (novelty seeking, harm avoidance, and reward dependence) could reflect eight personality patterns.

RESULTS

We found SUD was associated with high novelty seeking and harm avoidance traits and explosive (borderline) personality pattern, whereas HUD was also linked with sensitive (narcissistic) pattern. Subjects with HUD tended to have more deviant personality traits than subjects with MUD. For subjects with SUDs, all three personality dimensions and sensitive (narcissistic) personality patterns were associated with emotional and somatic distresses, and those with explosive (borderline) and sensitive (narcissistic) patterns had poor social functioning.

CONCLUSION

Our results indicate substance abusers with high novelty seeking and harm avoidance, corresponding to explosive (borderline) or sensitive (narcissistic) patterns, to have a higher tendency to suffer from somatic and psychosocial distresses.

An examination of the mechanisms and personality traits underlying food addiction among individuals with severe obesity awaiting bariatric surgery

PURPOSE

The aetiology underlying addiction has often been investigated to shed more light on the factors contributing to the development and maintenance of various disorders. In the field of addictive eating behaviours, data on the aetiological factors related to food addiction (FA) in the bariatric context remain scarce. The present study aimed to explore mechanisms and variables underlying FA among individuals suffering from severe obesity and awaiting bariatric surgery.

METHODS

Participants (N = 146) were recruited at the Quebec Heart and Lung Institute during their pre-operative visit and were invited to complete questionnaires. Participants with and without FA were compared on reward sensitivity, impulsivity, emotion dysregulation, and personality traits.

RESULTS

Findings showed that bariatric candidates with FA (16%) presented more emotion dysregulation, more harm avoidance, and less self-directedness. Further exploration showed that the association between harm avoidance and the number of FA criteria endorsed was mediated by emotion dysregulation, while the association between self-directedness and the number of FA criteria endorsed was mediated by reward sensitivity.

CONCLUSIONS

These results indicate that an inability to regulate affect by strategies other than eating highly palatable food, in a context where negative affect and long-term goals can hardly be sustained, underlies a diagnostic of FA among bariatric candidates. From a clinical standpoint, the presence of a double vulnerability leading to FA symptomatology could help design better-targeted interventions to maximise weight loss maintenance in the bariatric context.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level V, descriptive study.

The relationship between personality traits and AIDS in patients with human immunodeficiency virus

This study carried out to survey the relationship between personality traits and Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) in patients with human immunodeficiency virus. This case-control study was conducted on 79 AIDS patients of Triangle Clinic in Arak (case group) and 80 healthy people of Valiasr Hospital in Arak (control group). Demographic information checklist and Cloninger' Temperament and Character inventory (TCI) were two instruments applied in the study. SPSS software V.19 and tests independent t-tests, Chi squared and Spearman correlation coefficient were used for data analysis with significant level of <0.05. The average of innovativeness variables (M:74.12), harm avoidance (M: 65.17), reward dependence (M:50.030), and self-directedness (M:35.02) in case group in comparison with control group was significantly higher, and there was a significant difference between two groups variables (P-0.000). The novelty seeking had the highest average in the AIDS patients with a history of addiction (M:74.00), and there was statistically significant difference between perseverance variable (P-0.021) and cooperativeness variable (P-0.041) in the two groups of AIDS patients. There was a significant relationship between novelty seeking and age at the onset of AIDS (P-0.038), harm avoidance and age at the onset of addiction (P-0.046), persistence and age at the onset of AIDS (P-0.035) and the time infected with HIV (P-0.033). It is found that two groups are different due to the personalities, so it is essential to consider the personality traits in order to prevent AIDS and also successfully treat patients suffering from AIDS.

Desire thinking as a mediator of the relationship between novelty seeking and craving

Background

The construct of craving has been shown to play a crucial role in the development and maintenance of addictive behaviors. Both novelty seeking and desire thinking have been identified, respectively, as important temperamental and cognitive predictors of craving.

Aims

In the present study we aimed to explore the relative contribution of novelty seeking and desire thinking towards craving, hypothesizing a sequence of multiple mediating relationships starting from novelty seeking and moving onto imaginal prefiguration, verbal perseveration and craving in serial fashion.

Method

A convenience sample of 270 individuals completed measures assessing novelty seeking, desire thinking, and craving relating to a chosen activity.

Results

Findings showed that, controlling for age and gender, desire thinking components predicted craving over and above novelty seeking. The indirect effect from novelty seeking to craving, via desire thinking components, was significant thus supporting a multiple-mediational sequence. Finally, the relationship between imaginal prefiguration and craving was found to be partially mediated by verbal perseveration.

Conclusions

The findings provide support for the conceptualization of desire thinking as an independent construct in predicting craving over and above novelty seeking.

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We examined the relationship between desire thinking, temperament and craving.

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Findings support a multiple mediational sequence from novelty seeking to craving.

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Desire thinking mediates the relationship between novelty seeking and craving.

Temperament and character dimensions assessed in general population, in individuals with psychoactive substance dependence and in young male conscripts

BACKGROUND

In this work we consider Cloninger's psychobiological model, which measures two dimensions of personality: character and temperament. Temperament refers to the biological basis of personality and its characteristics, while character refers to an individual's attitudes towards own self, towards humanity and as part of the universe.

METHODS

The Temperament and Character Inventory-Revised-140 (TCI-R-140) was administered to 3 divergent samples: a general population sample, a sample of male conscripts and a sample of individuals attending a substance abuse rehabilitation programme. Score differences among the three samples were assessed controlling for age and gender and reliability coefficients are reported. The latent structure was studied in all samples, using exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis methods (EFA and CFA respectively).

RESULTS

The proposed structure was partially replicated via EFA. CFA however indicated less than satisfactory fit, as in previously reported results. To improve the fit, the path diagram was augmented to account for multiple factor complexity, as suggested by the EFA results in all samples. While retaining the original seven-factor structure, the augmented model provided adequate fit. The consistency of the inventory was satisfactory in all samples. Evidence for the construct validity was found in relation to aggression.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first study to conclude in adequate fit, after allowing for the indicators to load on more than one factor within each dimension. While cross-national differences apply, our results were similar (when comparable) with previously reported ones in the literature.

NrCAM-regulating neural systems and addiction-related behaviors

We have previously shown that a haplotype associated with decreased NrCAM expression in brain is protective against addiction vulnerability for polysubstance abuse in humans and that Nrcam knockout mice do not develop conditioned place preferences for morphine, cocaine or amphetamine. In order to gain insight into NrCAM involvement in addiction vulnerability, which may involve specific neural circuits underlying behavioral characteristics relevant to addiction, we evaluated several behavioral phenotypes in Nrcam knockout mice. Consistent with a potential general reduction in motivational function, Nrcam knockout mice demonstrated less curiosity for novel objects and for an unfamiliar conspecific, showed also less anxiety in the zero maze. Nrcam heterozygote knockout mice reduced alcohol preference and buried fewer marbles in home cage. These observations provide further support for a role of NrCAM in substance abuse including alcoholism vulnerability, possibly through its effects on behavioral traits that may affect addiction vulnerability, including novelty seeking, obsessive compulsion and responses to aversive or anxiety-provoking stimuli. Additionally, in order to prove glutamate homeostasis hypothesis of addiction, we analyzed glutamatergic molecules regulated by NRCAM expression. Glutaminase appears to be involved in NrCAM-related molecular pathway in two different tissues from human and mouse. An inhibitor of the enzyme, prolyl-leucyl-glycinamide, treatment produced, at least, some of the phenotypes of mice shown in alcohol preference and in anxiety-like behavior. Thus, NrCAM could affect addiction-related behaviors via at least partially modulation of some glutamatergic pathways and neural function in brain.

[Drug Abuse Comorbidity in Bipolar Disorder]

INTRODUCTION

Drug use among patients with bipolar disorder is greater than the one observed in the general population; psychotic episodes are likely to occur after consumption. This has implications in the prevention, etiology, management, and treatment of the disease. Bipolar disorder pathology is likely to have positive response to pharmacological treatment. Therefore, identifying the strategies with better results to be applied in these patients is fundamental for psychiatrists and primary care physicians.

OBJECTIVE

Review literature in order to determine the prevalence and characteristics of drug abuse in patients with bipolar disorder and establish the pharmacological strategies that have produced better results.

METHODOLOGY

Literature review.

RESULTS

A great variety of studies demonstrate the relationship between bipolar disorder and drug use disorder. These patients are hospitalized more frequently, have an earlier onset of the disease, and present a larger number of depressive episodes and suicide attempts which affect the course of the disease. The drug with better results in the treatment of these patients is Divalproate. Satisfactory results have been also obtained with other mood stabilizers such as carbamazepine, lamotrigine, and the antipsychotic aripiprazole.

CONCLUSIONS

Substance abuse is present in a large number of patients with bipolar disorder. The Divalproate is the drug that has shown better results in the studies.

Relationship of alexithymia and temperament and character dimensions with lifetime post-traumatic stress disorder in male alcohol-dependent inpatients

AIMS

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the prevalence of lifetime post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in male alcohol-dependent inpatients and to investigate the relationship of PTSD with alexithymia and temperament and character dimensions.

METHODS

Participants were 156 consecutively admitted male alcohol-dependent subjects. Patients were investigated using the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS), the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) and the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI).

RESULTS

Among alcohol-dependent inpatients 32.1% were considered as having lifetime PTSD. Mean scores of alexithymia, novelty seeking (NS), harm avoidance (HA) and self-transcendence (ST) were higher in the PTSD group, whereas age and self-directedness (S) were lower. Among age and other factors of TAS-20, 'difficulty in identifying feelings (DIF)' predicted PTSD in a logistic regression model. When age and personality dimensions of TCI were taken as independent variables, S predicted PTSD in the logistic regression model. Finally, among subscales of TCI, 'impulsiveness versus reflection' (NS2) and 'congruent second nature versus bad habits' (S5) predicted PTSD.

CONCLUSIONS

Alexithymia and personality traits, particularly high DIF and S scores are related with lifetime PTSD diagnosis, even when controlling for age among alcohol-dependent inpatients. Causal relationships between alexithymia, personality dimensions and PTSD, and their implications on treatment are not clear and should be evaluated in longitudinal studies.

Personality traits and mental health states of methamphetamine-dependent and methamphetamine non-using MSM

This analysis considers the relation between personality traits, mental health states and methamphetamine (MA) use in 60 men who have sex with men (MSM). Thirty MA-dependent and 30 MA non-using MSM were assessed on the Neo Five Factor Inventory, the Brief Symptom Inventory, the Perceived Stress Scale, and the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist-Civilian Version tests. Our results indicate differences between groups on a variety of measures of personality traits and mental states. Specifically, MA-dependent participants were found to be more Neurotic, less Open, less Agreeable, and less Conscientious. Further, MA-dependent participants were found to have higher levels of Paranoid Ideation and higher levels of Interpersonal Sensitivity. Given the high prevalence of MA use in the MSM community and the association between MA use and sexual risk taking, our findings provided a clearer understanding of how individual personality traits may be a factor in the continued use of this drug among MSM. Further research should seek to incorporate individual personality traits into the development of efficacious MA-specific treatment interventions.

Obesity and its relationship to addictions: is overeating a form of addictive behavior?

Obesity is a major public health problem and notoriously difficult to treat. There are many parallels between obesity/overeating and addictions to alcohol and drugs. This paper discusses similarities between obesity and addictive disorders, including common personality characteristics, disruptive behavior syndromes, and brain mechanisms. Although there are important differences between overeating and other addictive behaviors, an addiction model of overeating may effectively inform prevention and treatment of obesity.

Dopamine dysregulation syndrome: an overview of its epidemiology, mechanisms and management

Dopamine dysregulation syndrome (DDS) is a relatively recently described iatrogenic disturbance that may complicate long-term symptomatic therapy of Parkinson's disease. Patients with DDS develop an addictive pattern of dopamine replacement therapy (DRT) use, administering doses in excess of those required to control their motor symptoms. The prevalence of DDS in patients attending specialist Parkinson's disease centres is 3-4%. Amongst the behavioural disturbances associated with DDS are punding, which is a complex stereotyped behaviour, and impulse control disorders (ICDs), such as pathological gambling, hypersexuality, compulsive shopping and compulsive eating. We review the risk factors and potential mechanisms for the development of DDS, including personality traits, potential genetic influences and Parkinson's disease-related cognitive deficits. Impulsive personality traits are prominent in patients developing DDS, and have been previously associated with the development of substance dependence. Candidate genes affecting the dopamine 'D(2)-like' receptor family have been associated with impulsive personality traits in addition to drug and nondrug addictions. Impaired decision making is implicated in addictive behaviours, and decision-making abilities can be influenced by dopaminergic medications. In Parkinson's disease, disruption of the reciprocal loops between the striatum and structures in the prefrontal cortex following dopamine depletion may predispose to DDS. The role of DRT in DDS is discussed, with particular reference to models of addiction, suggesting that compulsive drug use is due to progressive neuroadaptations in dopamine projections to the accumbens-related circuitry. Evidence for neuroadaptations and sensitization occurring in DDS include enhanced levodopa-induced ventral striatal dopamine release. Levodopa is still considered the most potent trigger for DDS in Parkinson's disease, but subcutaneous apomorphine and oral dopamine agonists may also be responsible. In the management of DDS, further research is needed to identify at-risk groups, thereby facilitating more effective early intervention. Therefore, an increased awareness of the syndrome amongst treating physicians is vital. Medication reduction strategies are employed, particularly with regard to avoiding rapidly acting 'booster' DRT formulations. Psychosocial treatments, including cognitive-behavioural therapy, have been beneficial in treating substance use disorders and ICDs in non-Parkinson's disease patients, but there are currently no published trials of psychological interventions in DDS. Further studies are also required to identify factors that can predict those patients with DDS or ICDs who will derive benefit from surgical interventions such as deep brain stimulation.

A preliminary study: novelty seeking, frontal executive function, and dopamine receptor (D2) TaqI A gene polymorphism in patients with methamphetamine dependence

INTRODUCTION

Dopamine receptor polymorphisms have been associated with specific patterns of novelty seeking (NS) temperamental nature and frontal executive function. In addition, carriers of dopamine receptor type 2 (DRD2)-TaqI A1 have been hypothesized to be potentially vulnerable to addictive behaviors. In the present study, the association between dopamine D2 polymorphisms, NS, and frontal executive function was studied.

METHODS

Thirty-seven methamphetamine (MA)-dependent subjects and 40 healthy comparison subjects participated in the current study. The severity of addiction, NS temperament, and frontal executive functions were measured using the Addiction Severity Index, the NS subscale in the Temperament and Character Inventory, and the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test, respectively. All subjects were genotyped with regard to DRD2-TaqI polymorphisms.

RESULTS

The prevalence of DRD2-TaqI A1 allele polymorphisms was greater in the MA-abuser group than in the comparison group. Patients with MA dependence also had higher NS characteristics and high scores in total trials, errors, and perseverative errors of the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test than comparison subjects. Within patients with MA dependence, the subgroup of DRD2-TaqI A1 carrier had greater NS scores relative to those without, whereas there was only a trend level of lower frontal executive function in the first subgroup.

CONCLUSION

In the present study, the MA-dependent patients with DRD2-TaqI A1 allele had significantly greater NS scores and lower frontal executive function with a trend level than those without. These preliminary results suggest that MA-dependent patients may have the possibility of genetic and biogenic vulnerability to MA.

Temperament and character traits in patients with bipolar disorder and associations with comorbid alcoholism or anxiety disorders

Temperament and character traits may determine differences in clinical presentations and outcome of bipolar disorder. We compared personality traits in bipolar patients and healthy individuals using the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI) and sought to verify whether comorbidity with alcoholism or anxiety disorders is associated with specific personality traits. Seventy-three DSM-IV bipolar patients were compared to 63 healthy individuals using the TCI. In a second step, the bipolar sample was subgrouped according to the presence of psychiatric comorbidity (alcoholism, n=10; anxiety disorders; n=23; alcoholism plus anxiety disorders, n=21; no comorbidity, n=19). Bipolar patients scored statistically higher than the healthy individuals on novelty seeking, harm avoidance and self-transcendence and lower on self-directedness and cooperativeness. Bipolar patients with only comorbid alcoholism scored statistically lower than bipolar patients without any comorbidity on persistence. Bipolar patients with only comorbid anxiety disorders scored statistically higher on harm avoidance and lower on self-directedness than bipolar patients without any comorbidity. Limitations of this study include the cross-sectional design and the small sample size, specifically in the analysis of the subgroups. However, our results suggest that bipolar patients exhibit a different personality structure than healthy individuals and that presence of psychiatric comorbidity in bipolar disorder is associated with specific personality traits. These findings suggest that personality, at least to some extent, mediates the comorbidity phenomena in bipolar disorder.

Predictors of intention to change HIV sexual and injection risk behaviors among heterosexual methamphetamine-using offenders in drug treatment: a test of the AIDS Risk Reduction Model

This study tested components of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) Risk Reduction Model (ARRM) for a sample of methamphetamine-using offenders in drug treatment. Analyses included the first two stages of the ARRM, problem recognition and intention to reduce risk (potential precursors to later possible behavior change), assessing predictors of intentions to increase condom use, reduce other sexual risk, and disinfect needles. Path analysis results showed potential applicability of the ARRM as a basis for intervention development for this population. There was a consistent effect of self-efficacy for risk reduction strategies, as well as direct or indirect effects of problem recognition factors (AIDS knowledge, peer norms), on the three intention indicators. Prior sex risk behavior (condom use) was directly negatively related to intention to use condoms; prior needle use was indirectly negatively related to intention to disinfect. Intention to use condoms was lower for women. Results can help identify areas for intervention development.

Role of dopamine D1 receptors in novelty seeking in adult female Long-Evans rats

Adult Long-Evans ovariectomized female rats received injections of the DA D1 antagonist SCH 23390 (0, 0.03 and 0.3mg/kg, i.p.) and were observed in an open field apparatus (OFA) with a novel object. Results indicate that a significant effect of SCH 23390 was found on several measures of novelty seeking and activity, with the high dose producing a significant decrease in (1) approaches to and (2) rears while approaching the novel object, (3) latency to interact with the novel object, (4) in time interacting with the novel object, (5) anxious behavior (as measured by rears) and (6) locomotor activity (LMA), as compared to both the saline and low dose. Interestingly, the effects of SCH 23390 on approaches and rears were not significant when LMA was factored into the analysis (repeated measures ANCOVA), however, marked results were still found on time interacting with the novel object. These data demonstrate that SCH 23390 produced dose-dependent effects on novelty seeking that were independent of LMA, implicating D1 receptors in the incentive-motivational aspect of novelty seeking in adult gonadectomized female rats.

Temperament and character model of personality profile of alcohol- and drug-dependent inpatients

The aims of this study were to evaluate the differences in dimensions of temperament and character in Turkish alcohol- and drug-dependent inpatients, and to examine which dimensions would predict drug dependency. The subjects consisted of 111 alcohol-dependent and 93 drug-dependent inpatients according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition. Subjects were tested using Cloninger's Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI). Among the temperament dimensions, novelty seeking score was higher and reward dependency score was lower in drug-dependent patients than in alcohol-dependent patients. Among the character dimensions, self-directedness and cooperativeness scores were lower in drug-dependent patients. Low age and novelty seeking predicted drug dependency in forward logistic regression model. Subscales that predicted drug dependency other than young age were lower scores on compassion vs revengefulness (C4) and helpfulness (C3), and higher score on spiritual acceptance vs rational materialism (ST3). As in previous studies, which indicate an association between personality and substance choice, in the present study, TCI was shown to be an efficient tool in discriminating alcohol and drug dependents; thus, it seems to be important to consider TCI dimensions in planning the treatment of substance dependency.

Molecular heterosis in metamphetamine abusers

Objective. The aim of our study was to assess whether the catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) genetic background of patients dependent on metamphetamine is related to their non-abstinence in a 1-year follow-up. Methods. We examined COMT gene Val158Met polymorphism and 1-year abstinence in a group of 31 (women N=8) Czech Caucasian metamphetamine abusers (average age, 23.8±4.0years). Results. Non-abstinence was significantly (P=0.046, Fisher's exact test) associated with the heterozygous Val/Met genotype. Conclusion. The case where subjects heterozygous for a specific genetic polymorphism show a significantly greater or lesser effect for a phenotypic trait than subjects homozygous for either allele is described as molecular heterosis in the literature. We discuss several explanations and recommendations for further research.