Need for cognition (NFC) refers to an individual’s tendency to engage in and enjoy effortful cognitive processing. So far, little attention has been paid to a systematic evaluation of the distinctiveness of NFC from traits with similar conceptualization and from intelligence. The present research contributes to filling this gap by examining the relation of NFC to well-established personality concepts (Study 1) and to a comprehensive measure of intelligence in a sample with broad educational backgrounds (Study 2). We observed NFC to be positively correlated with openness, emotional stability, and traits indicating goal orientation. Using confirmatory factor analysis and event-related potentials, incremental validity of NFC and openness to ideas was demonstrated, showing that NFC is more predictive of drive-related and goal-oriented behavior and attentional resource allocation. Regarding intelligence, NFC was more associated with fluid than with crystallized aspects of intelligence. Altogether, the results provide strong support for the conceptual autonomy of NFC.

In a cohort of patients with AADHD referred to a single tertiary center co-morbidity with axis-I/II disorders was remarkably prevalent. In AADHD co-morbid mood, anxiety, and personality disorders as well as substance abuse/dependence is likely to be predictive of poor outcome.

Zusammenfassung: Grays Theorie zum Verhaltenshemmsystem (Behavioral Inhibition System, BIS) und zum Verhaltensaktivierungssystem (Behavioral Approach System, BAS) ist von besonderer Relevanz für die biopsychologisch orientierte Persönlichkeitsforschung. Zur Erfassung der auf diesen beiden Systemen basierenden Dispositionen liegt für den englischen Sprachraum der BIS/BAS-Fragebogen von Carver und White vor, der vier Skalen (BIS, BAS Fun Seeking, BAS Drive und BAS Reward Responsiveness) umfaßt. Die vorliegende Arbeit stellt eine bisher nicht verfügbare deutsche Adaption des BIS/BAS-Fragebogens vor. 389 Männer und Frauen im Alter von 18-68 Jahren bearbeiteten eine Übersetzung des 24 Items umfassenden Inventars. Analysen erbrachten akzeptable psychometrische Eigenschaften der Skalen. Strukturüberprüfungen konnten die postulierte vierfaktorielle Struktur nicht bestätigen, weder auf der Basis der Extraktionskriterien noch mithilfe konfirmatorischer Analysen. Die Extraktionskriterien sprachen für eine zwei- bzw. dreifaktorielle Lösung. Auch aus theoretischen Gründen wird eine zweifaktorielle Lösung mit den Faktoren BIS und BAS präferiert. Weiterführende Studien sollten sich vorrangig mit einer Revision des Itemformats sowie mit der weiteren Überprüfung der faktoriellen Struktur des BIS/BAS-Fragebogens befassen.

The 5-HT1A receptor plays a critical role in the pathophysiology of anxiety and depression as well as in the mode of action of anxiolytic and antidepressant drugs. Human 5-HT1A gene transcription is modulated by a common C-1016G single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in its upstream regulatory region. In the present study, we evaluated the role of the HTR1A-1019 polymorphism in the modulation of individual differences in personality traits by an association study of a sample of healthy volunteers. Personality traits were assessed with two different methods, NEO personality inventory (NEO-PI-R) and Tridimensional Personality Questionnaire (TPQ). There was a significant effect of the HTR1A-1019 polymorphism on NEO Neuroticism with carriers of the G allele showing higher scores than individuals homozygous for the C variant. The effect was primarily due to associations with the Neuroticism facets Anxiety and Depression. Carriers of the G allele also exhibited higher TPQ Harm Avoidance scores. Our findings indicate a role of allelic variation in 5-HT1A receptor expression in the development and modulation of anxiety- and depression-related personality traits.

Until recently, no direct comparison between [15O]water positron emission tomography (PET) and arterial spin labeling (ASL) for measuring cerebral blood flow (CBF) was possible. With the introduction of integrated, hybrid magnetic resonance (MR)-PET scanners, such a comparison becomes feasible. This study presents results of CBF measurements recorded simultaneously with [15O]water and ASL. A 3T MR-BrainPET scanner was used for the simultaneous acquisition of pseudo-continuous ASL (pCASL) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and [15O]water PET. Quantitative CBF values were compared in 10 young healthy male volunteers at baseline conditions. A statistically significant (P<0.05) correlation was observed between the two modalities; the whole-brain CBF values determined with PET and pCASL were 43.3±6.1 mL and 51.9±7.1 mL per 100 g per minute, respectively. The gray/white matter (GM/WM) ratio of CBF was 3.0 for PET and 3.4 for pCASL. A paired t-test revealed differences in regional CBF between ASL and PET with higher ASL-CBF than PET-CBF values in cortical areas. Using an integrated, hybrid MR-PET a direct simultaneous comparison between ASL and [15O]water PET became possible for the first time so that temporal, physiologic, and functional variations were avoided. Regional and individual differences were found despite the overall similarity between ASL and PET, requiring further detailed investigations.