Association of novelty seeking scores and striatal dopamine D2/D3 receptor availability of healthy volunteers: Single photon emission computed tomography with 123I-iodobenzamide

It has been speculated that novelty seeking (NS) behavior is related to the dopaminergic system. Fifty-two subjects completed the Tridimensional Personality Questionnaire and underwent single photon emission computed tomography with 123 I-iodobenzamide. A marginally positive correlation was noted between NS and striatal dopamine D 2 /D 3 receptor availability ( r = 0.25, p =0.07). A positive association was noted between the NS scores and left striatal D 2 /D 3 receptor availability ( r = 0.29, p =0.04). The results suggest that a relationship might exist between NS score and dopaminergic activity.