Neurobehavioral correlates of impulsivity: evidence of prefrontal involvement

Int J Neurosci. 2004 Jan;114(1):95-104. doi: 10.1080/00207450490249347.

Abstract

Impulsivity is associated with the functioning of prefrontal-subcortical circuits particularly, the orbitofrontal circuit, which is shown in neuro-imaging studies of neurological and psychological disorders. Objective behavioral measures, such as go/no-go, antisaccades, and delayed alternation, have demonstrated sensitivity to prefrontal function. This study examined the relationship between orbitofrontal-sensitive measures and impulsivity in healthy adults, as measured by the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale-11 (BIS). Go/no-go and antisaccades correlated positively and delayed alternations correlated negatively with BIS subscales, even after controlling for demographic influences. The results add to the validity of the BIS and support a role for prefrontal cortex in impulse control.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Attention
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Impulsive Behavior*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Motor Activity / physiology
  • Neuropsychological Tests / statistics & numerical data
  • Prefrontal Cortex / physiology*
  • Psychometrics
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Saccades / physiology
  • Statistics as Topic