title: Changing the general factor of personality and the c-fos gene expression with methylphenidate and self-regulation therapy.
abstract: A deepening in the biological nature of the general factor of personality (GFP) is suggested: the activation level of the stress system is here represented by the gene expression of c-fos. The results of a single case experimental design are reported. A model of four coupled differential equations that explains the human personality dynamics as a consequence of a single stimulant drug intake has been fitted to psychological and biological experimental data. The stimulant-drug conditioning and its adaptation to the considered mathematical model is also studied for both kinds of measures. The dynamics of the c-fos expression presents a similar pattern to the dynamics of the psychological measures of personality assessed by the GFP-FAS (Five-Adjective Scale of the General Factor of Personality) as a consequence of a single dose of stimulant drug (methylphenidate). The model predicts similar dynamic patterns for both psychological and biological measures. This study proves that describing mathematically the dynamics of the effects of a stimulant drug as well as the effects of a conditioning method on psychological or subjective variables and on gene expression is possible. It verifies the existence of biological mechanisms underlying the dynamics of the General Factor of Personality (GFP).
authors: Universitat Politècnica de València, Spain.
authors: Joan C
authors: JC
authors: Micó
authors: Salvador
authors: S
authors: Amigó
authors: Antonio
authors: A
authors: Caselles
mesh_terms: D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003213:Conditioning, Psychological; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000187:drug effects*; D016762:Genes, fos / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008774:Methylphenidate / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D008960:Models, Psychological; D010551:Personality / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics*; D016760:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D015854:Up-Regulation / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D016760:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos; D008774:Methylphenidate