title: Behavioural activation system sensitivity is associated with cerebral μ-opioid receptor availability.
abstract: The reinforcement-sensitivity theory proposes that behavioural activation and inhibition systems (BAS and BIS, respectively) guide approach and avoidance behaviour in potentially rewarding and punishing situations. Their baseline activity presumably explains individual differences in behavioural dispositions when a person encounters signals of reward and harm. Yet, neurochemical bases of BAS and BIS have remained poorly understood. Here we used in vivo positron emission tomography with a µ-opioid receptor (MOR) specific ligand [(11)C]carfentanil to test whether individual differences in MOR availability would be associated with BAS or BIS. We scanned 49 healthy subjects and measured their BAS and BIS sensitivities using the BIS/BAS scales. BAS but not BIS sensitivity was positively associated with MOR availability in frontal cortex, amygdala, ventral striatum, brainstem, cingulate cortex and insula. Strongest associations were observed for the BAS subscale 'Fun Seeking'. Our results suggest that endogenous opioid system underlies BAS, and that differences in MOR availability could explain inter-individual differences in reward seeking behaviour.
authors.affiliation: Turku PET Centre, University of Turku, Turku, Finland Department of Neuroscience and Biomedical Engineering, School of Science, Aalto University, 00076 AALTO, Espoo, Finland tomi.karjalainen@aalto.fi.
authors.forename: Tomi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Karjalainen
authors.affiliation: Turku PET Centre, University of Turku, Turku, Finland Department of Neuroscience and Biomedical Engineering, School of Science, Aalto University, 00076 AALTO, Espoo, Finland.
authors.forename: Lauri
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Tuominen
authors.affiliation: Turku PET Centre, University of Turku, Turku, Finland.
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Manninen
authors.affiliation: Turku PET Centre, University of Turku, Turku, Finland.
authors.forename: Kari K
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Kalliokoski
authors.affiliation: Turku PET Centre, University of Turku, Turku, Finland Department of Endocrinology, Turku University Hospital, Turku 20521, Finland.
authors.forename: Pirjo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Nuutila
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience and Biomedical Engineering, School of Science, Aalto University, 00076 AALTO, Espoo, Finland.
authors.forename: Iiro P
authors.initials: IP
authors.lastname: Jääskeläinen
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience and Biomedical Engineering, School of Science, Aalto University, 00076 AALTO, Espoo, Finland Department of Art, School of Arts, Design and Architecture, 00076 AALTO, Helsinki, Finland.
authors.forename: Riitta
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hari
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience and Biomedical Engineering, School of Science, Aalto University, 00076 AALTO, Espoo, Finland.
authors.forename: Mikko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sams
authors.affiliation: Turku PET Centre, University of Turku, Turku, Finland Department of Neuroscience and Biomedical Engineering, School of Science, Aalto University, 00076 AALTO, Espoo, Finland Department of Psychology, University of Turku, Turku 20014, Finland.
authors.forename: Lauri
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Nummenmaa
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D001921:Brain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005283:Fentanyl / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D006801:Humans; D007266:Inhibition, Psychological; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography / Q000379:methods*; D011678:Punishment; D017450:Receptors, Opioid, mu / Q000378:metabolism*; D012054:Reinforcement, Psychology; D012201:Reward; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; C485764:OPRM1 protein, human; D017450:Receptors, Opioid, mu; C017114:carfentanil; D005283:Fentanyl
keywords: BAS; BIS; PET; carfentanil; opioid