Changing the General Factor of Personality and the c-fos Gene Expression with Methylphenidate and Self-Regulation Therapy

Joan C. Micó ^[1] ; Salvador Amigó Borrás ^[2] ; Antonio Caselles Moncho ^[2]
1. [1] Universidad Politécnica de Valencia
  
  Universidad Politécnica de Valencia
  
  Valencia, España
2. [2] Universitat de València
  
  Universitat de València
  
  Valencia, España
Localización: The Spanish Journal of Psychology, ISSN 1138-7416, Vol. 15, Nº. 2, 2012, págs. 850-867
Idioma: inglés
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Resumen
- 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).