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Biological correlates of temperament: systematic reviews, empirical studies, and a conceptual framework linking neurotransmitter signaling, intrinsic brain activity, and the hyperthymic-depressive spectrum

Abstract

Temperament can be conceptualized as the baseline configuration of experience and behavior, contributing to individual differences in activity levels, emotional intensity, and thought patterns. This work aimed to investigate the biological correlates of temperament. First, we performed systematic reviews on the relationship of temperament with the brain’s function/structure (characterized via neuroimaging), as well as neurotransmitter signaling (measured in cerebrospinal fluid and blood). Then, we investigated the relationship of temperament with intrinsic brain activity (using resting-state functional MRI) in 122 subjects, as well as dopamine and serotonin levels (measured in platelets) in 25 subjects. The systematic reviews showed heterogeneous data. Our empirical studies showed that: the hyperthymic temperament is associated with decreased intrinsic brain activity in the medial prefrontal cortex/default-mode network, along with increased dopamine levels in platelets; conversely, the depressive temperament is associated with increased intrinsic brain activity in the medial prefrontal cortex/default-mode network, along with decreased dopamine levels in platelets. These data suggest that the hyperthymic temperament may be associated with a baseline configuration of brain activity tilted toward the sensorimotor areas at the expense of the associative areas (related to high dopamine signaling), favoring immediate interaction with the environment and a propensity for action and impulsive behavior; conversely, the depressive temperament may be associated with a baseline configuration of brain activity tilted toward the associative areas at the expense of the sensorimotor areas (related to low dopamine signaling), favoring detachment from the environment and a propensity for thinking/imagery and rumination. Accordingly, these temperaments may represent the physiological counterparts of the manic and depressive states of bipolar disorder.

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Fig. 1: Relationship of temperament with intrinsic brain activity.
Fig. 2: Relationship of temperament with neurotransmitter signaling.
Fig. 3: A conceptual framework of the biological correlates of temperament.

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Data availability

The datasets generated and analyzed during this study, as well as the codes used, are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

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Acknowledgements

MM received support from the Taiwan National Science and Technology Council (113-2628-B-038-010-MY3), Taipei Medical University (TMU112-F-001), and Higher Education Sprout Project of the Taiwan Ministry of Education (DP2-TMU-113-N-07; DP2-TMU-114-N-07). PM received support from the Taiwan National Science and Technology Council (110-2628-B-038-015; 111-2628-B-038-023; 112-2628-B-038-006; 113-2314-B-038-096-MY3) and Taipei Medical University (TMU111-AE1-B38). The authors thank Jeanette Yang for her valuable contribution to participant recruitment and data collection for sample II. The authors thank Shou-Cheng Lu, Li-Ping Yuan, and Min-Hua Lin, as well as the Department of Laboratory Medicine and the Blood Sampling Center at Shuang Ho Hospital (New Taipei City, Taiwan), for their assistance with blood sample collection and analysis.

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HTC conducted the umbrella review on the relationship of temperament with brain function and structure (including literature search, screening, and data extraction and elaboration), contributed to participant recruitment and data collection (sample II), contributed to the neuroimaging analysis, and contributed to writing the manuscript. ED performed the neuroimaging analysis. FRT conducted the platelet analysis. LS conducted the umbrella review on the relationship of temperament with neurotransmitter signaling (including literature search, screening, and data extraction and elaboration) and assisted with the platelet analysis. BC was responsible for participant recruitment and data collection (sample I) and contributed to the design of the empirical study on the relationship of temperament with intrinsic brain activity. MA supervised participant recruitment and data collection (sample I) and contributed to the design of the empirical study on the relationship of temperament with intrinsic brain activity. TB contributed to the design and supervision of the empirical study on the relationship of temperament with neurotransmitter signaling, and contributed to writing the manuscript. MM and PM conceived the study, supervised the overall project, interpreted the results, developed the theoretical framework, and wrote the manuscript. All authors reviewed and approved the final version of the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Paola Magioncalda.

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All methods used in this work were performed in accordance with relevant guidelines and regulations. The empirical study on the relationship of temperament with intrinsic brain activity was approved by the Ethics Committee of San Martino Polyclinic Hospital (No. 82/13), and the empirical study on the relationship of temperament with neurotransmitter signaling was approved by the Joint Institutional Review Board of Taipei Medical University (N202102049). Written informed consent was obtained from all participants.

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Chen, H.T., Martino, M., Dabiri, E. et al. Biological correlates of temperament: systematic reviews, empirical studies, and a conceptual framework linking neurotransmitter signaling, intrinsic brain activity, and the hyperthymic-depressive spectrum. Mol Psychiatry 30, 5880–5888 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41380-025-03146-2

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