Volume of motor area predicts motor impulsivity

Eur J Neurosci. 2019 Jun;49(11):1470-1476. doi: 10.1111/ejn.14339. Epub 2019 Jan 29.

Abstract

Impulsivity is a personality trait associated with many maladaptive behaviors. Trait impulsivity is typically divided into three different dimensions, including attentional impulsiveness, motor impulsiveness, and non-planning impulsiveness. In the present study, we examined the neuroanatomical basis of the multidimensional impulsivity trait. Eighty-four healthy participants were studied with structural magnetic resonance imaging. Multiple regression analyses revealed that the score of motor impulsiveness was negatively correlated with gray matter volumes of the right supplementary motor area and paracentral lobule. A machine-learning-based prediction analysis indicated that decreased gray matter volumes of the supplementary motor area and paracentral lobule strongly predicted the decrease in motor impulsiveness control. Our findings provide insights into the predictive role of motor brain structures in motor impulsivity and inhibition control.

Keywords: brain volume; motor impulsiveness; prediction analysis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Brain Mapping
  • Female
  • Gray Matter / diagnostic imaging*
  • Humans
  • Impulsive Behavior / physiology*
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Motor Activity / physiology*
  • Motor Cortex / diagnostic imaging*
  • Organ Size / physiology
  • Young Adult