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Aim We aimed to investigate the hypotheses that hyperthymic temperament may be positively associated with self-directedness and self-transcendence with adjustment for relevant factors. Methods Using the database of our previous studies, the data from 111 healthy subjects with scores for both the Temperament and Character Inventory and the Temperament Evaluation of Memphis, Pisa, Paris, and San Diego Autoquestionnaire were secondarily used for the present study. Results Hyperthymic Temperament scores were significantly and positively associated with Self-Transcendence scores, but not with Self-Directedness scores, following adjustment for relevant factors. Despite the lack of association between self-transcendence and self-directedness, cooperativeness was significantly and positively associated with self-transcendence and self-directedness, but not with hyperthymic temperament. Moreover, despite the lack of association between hyperthymic temperament and self-directedness, harm avoidance was significantly and negatively associated with hyperthymic temperament and self-directedness, but not with self-transcendence. Conclusion The present findings suggest that hyperthymic temperament may be positively associated with self-transcendence, but not with self-directedness. Moreover, hyperthymic temperament may be, a selfish and reckless trait, self-transcendence may be altruistic and not reckless, and self-directedness may be altruistic but reckless.

Objective Bright light therapy is widely used as the treatment of choice for seasonal affective disorder. Nonetheless, our understanding of the mechanisms of bright light is limited and it is important to investigate the mechanisms. The purpose of this study is to examine the hypothesis that bright light exposure may increase [18F]-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) uptake in olfactory bulb and/or hippocampus which may be associated neurogenesis in the human brain. Method A randomized controlled trial comparing 5-day bright light exposure + environmental light (bright light exposure group) with environmental light alone (no intervention group) was performed for 55 participants in a university hospital. The uptake of [18F]FDG in olfactory bulb and hippocampus using FDG positron emission tomography was compared between two groups. Results There was a significant increase of uptake in both right and left olfactory bulb for bright light exposure group vs. no intervention group. After adjustment of log-transformed illuminance, there remained a significant increase of uptake in the right olfactory bulb. Conclusion The present findings suggest a possibility that 5-day bright light exposure may increase [18F]FDG in the right olfactory bulb of the human brain, suggesting a possibility of neurogenesis. Further studies are warranted to directly confirm this possibility.

In order to resolve the equivocal relationship between anxious temperament rated by the Temperament Evaluation of Memphis, Pisa, Paris, and San Diego-Autoquestionnaire (TEMPS-A) and harm avoidance rated by the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI), the present study aimed to investigate whether the anxious temperament scale and the harm avoidance scale are significantly associated with adjustment of relevant factors. Our hypothesis was that anxious temperament might be associated with harm avoidance.From the database of our previous studies, the data of 111 healthy subjects who had both TCI and TEMPS-A scores were extracted for the present study. Two multiple regression analyses were performed: one to predict variance in anxious temperament scores without and with harm avoidance scores, and relevant factors; and another to predict variance in harm avoidance scores without and with anxious temperament scores, and relevant factors.Anxious temperament was significantly and positively associated with depressive temperament, irritable temperament, and Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression whereas harm avoidance was significantly and negatively associated with hyperthymic temperament, novelty seeking, persistence, and self-directedness, although both were significantly and positively associated with each other.These findings support our hypothesis and suggest that anxious temperament may have 'depressive proneness' whereas harm avoidance may have 'passive proneness.'

Introduction: Lamotrigine is one of several mood stabilizers and its effects for the treatment and prevention of depressive episodes, particularly in bipolar disorder, are generally accepted. Although the findings about a therapeutic window of lamotrigine are yet to be determined, it seems important to obtain information on individual pharmacokinetic peculiarities. This study was conducted to formulate the predictive model of plasma lamotrigine levels. Methods: Using the data of 47 patients whose lamotrigine levels, liver function, and renal function were measured, predictive models of lamotrigine levels were formulated by stepwise multiple regression analyses. The predictive power of the models was compared using another dataset of 25 patients. Results: Two models were created using stepwise multiple regression. The first model was: plasma lamotrigine level (μg/mL)=2.308+0.019×lamotrigine dose (mg/day). The second model was: plasma lamotrigine level (μg/mL)=0.08+0.024×lamotrigine dose (mg/day)+4.088×valproate combination (no=0, yes=1). The predictive power of the second model was better than that of the first model. Discussion: The present study proposes a prompt and relatively accurate equation to predict lamotrigine levels.