title: Dorsolateral prefrontal γ-aminobutyric acid in men predicts individual differences in rash impulsivity.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Impulsivity is a multifaceted personality construct associated with numerous psychiatric disorders. Recent research has characterized four facets of impulsivity: "urgency" (the tendency to act rashly especially in the context of distress or cravings); "lack of premeditation" (not envisaging the consequences of actions); "lack of perseverance" (not staying focused on a task); and "sensation seeking" (engaging in exciting activities). Urgency is particularly associated with clinical populations and problematic disinhibited behavior.
  
  
  METHODS
  We used magnetic resonance spectroscopy to measure concentration of the inhibitory neurotransmitter γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) in two cohorts of 12 and 13 participants.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We find that variation in trait urgency in healthy men correlates with GABA concentration in the DLPFC. The result was replicated in an independent cohort. More GABA predicted lower urgency scores, consistent with a role in self-control for GABA-mediated inhibitory mechanisms in DLPFC.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings help account for individual differences in self-control and thus clarify the relationship between GABA and a wide range of psychiatric disorders associated with impaired self-control.
authors.affiliation: Cardiff University Brain Research Imaging Centre, School of Psychology, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom. boyf@cardiff.ac.uk
authors.forename: Frederic
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Boy
authors.forename: C John
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Evans
authors.forename: Richard A E
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Edden
authors.forename: Andrew D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Lawrence
authors.forename: Krish D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.forename: Masud
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Husain
authors.forename: Petroc
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sumner
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005106:Exploratory Behavior; D005625:Frontal Lobe / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D007175:Impulsive Behavior / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000523:psychology*; D007206:Individuality; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D008297:Male; D009044:Motor Cortex / Q000378:metabolism; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010296:Parietal Lobe / Q000378:metabolism; D010551:Personality; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D017397:Prefrontal Cortex / Q000378:metabolism*; D055815:Young Adult; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid