The Study of Personality with Positron Emission Tomography

Abstract

A number of researchers have proposed biologically based models of personality. The experimental testing of specific hypotheses concerning personality and brain structures, however, has not been attempted directly in humans because intrusive manipulations or assessments have not been possible without undue risk. The recent development of the technique of Positron Emission Tomography (PET) now allows direct, nonintrusive measures of brain function in specific areas and structures. Function is determined by the quantitative assessment of glucose metabolism.