title: Self-transcendence trait and its relationship with in vivo serotonin transporter availability in brainstem raphe nuclei: An ultra-high resolution PET-MRI study.
abstract: Self-transcendence is an inherent human personality trait relating to the experience of spiritual aspects of the self. We examined the relationship between self-transcendence and serotonin transporter (SERT) availability in brainstem raphe nuclei, which are collections of five different serotonergic nuclei with rostro-caudal extension, using ultra-high resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography (PET) with (11)C-3-amino-4-(2-dimethylaminomethylphenylthio)benzonitrile ([(11)C]DASB) to elucidate potential roles of serotonergic neuronal activities in this personality trait. Sixteen healthy subjects completed 7.0T MRI and High Resolution Research Tomograph (HRRT) PET. The regions of interest (ROIs) included the dorsal raphe nucleus (R1), median raphe nucleus (R2), raphe pontis (R3), and the caudal raphe nuclei (R4 and R5). For the estimation of SERT availability, the binding potential (BPND) was derived using the simplified reference tissue model (SRTM2). The Temperament and Character Inventory was used to measure self-transcendence. The analysis revealed that the self-transcendence total score had a significant negative correlation with the [(11)C]DASB BPND in the caudal raphe (R5). The subscale score for spiritual acceptance was significantly negatively correlated with the [(11)C]DASB BPND in the median raphe nucleus (R2). The results indicate that the self-transcendence trait is associated with SERT availability in specific raphe subnuclei, suggesting that the serotonin system may serve as an important biological basis for human self-transcendence. Based on the connections of these nuclei with cortico-limbic and visceral autonomic structures, the functional activity of these nuclei and their related neural circuitry may play a crucial role in the manifestation of self-transcendence.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Gil Medical Center, Gachon University School of Medicine, Neuroscience Research Institute, Gachon University, Incheon, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: jhnp@chol.com.
authors.forename: Jong-Hoon
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Health Science, Gachon University, Incheon, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Young-Don
authors.initials: YD
authors.lastname: Son
authors.affiliation: Industrial Technology Institute, Korea University, Sejong, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Jeong-Hee
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Neuroscience Research Institute, Gachon University, Incheon, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Eun-Jung
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiological Science, College of Health Science, Gachon University, Incheon, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Sang-Yoon
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Neuroscience Research Institute, Gachon University, Incheon, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Yo-Han
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Joo
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Gil Medical Center, Gachon University School of Medicine, Incheon, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Young-Bo
authors.initials: YB
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Convergence Science and Technology, Seoul National University, Suwon, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Zang-Hee
authors.initials: ZH
authors.lastname: Cho
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001933:Brain Stem / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism*; D065847:Dorsal Raphe Nucleus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography / Q000379:methods*; D012649:Self Concept; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D029181:Spirituality; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: C493230:SLC6A4 protein, human; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins
keywords: Magnetic resonance imaging; Positron emission tomography; Raphe nucleus; Self-transcendence; Serotonin transporter; [(11)C]DASB