@article{10.37349/ent.2026.1004155,
abstract = {Norepinephrine (NE), a central catecholamine neurotransmitter synthesized primarily in the locus coeruleus (LC), plays a critical role in regulating arousal, attention, emotional processing, and stress responsiveness. While contemporary personality neuroscience has established the role of NE in acute psychological states, its contribution to stable personality traits remains underexplored. This review synthesizes neurobiological, psychological, genetic, and psychopharmacological evidence to propose a NE-personality continuum that links tonic and phasic dynamics of the LC-NE system to enduring individual differences in alertness, anxiety, and adaptability. Alertness is associated with optimal noradrenergic tone and efficient phasic signaling, which enhances the signal-to-noise ratio and attentional focus. Anxiety arises from chronic hyperactivation or dysregulated NE release, particularly involving excessive α1- and β-adrenergic receptor activity and impaired modulation from the prefrontal cortex. Adaptability denotes a harmonious interaction between the limbic system and prefrontal cortex, which facilitates cognitive flexibility and emotional regulation in response to changing environmental demands. The connection between NE activity and personality traits follows an inverted U-shaped pattern. Low tone leads to apathy and less engagement, moderate tone helps with resilience and optimal functioning, and high tone leads to hypervigilance and rigidity. This model combines findings from fundamental neuroscience and clinical research to provide a physiologically based framework for understanding how long-term variations in noradrenergic regulation affect personality traits, as described in established trait theories. The findings underline the feasibility of adding noradrenergic biomarkers and pharmaceutical therapies into clinical practice, as well as the importance of longitudinal and multimodal research to determine trait-level causality. This is especially important for understanding how to use these elements to improve treatment plans for personality disorders.},
author = {Uddin, Taslim and Hossain Bhuiyan, Otondrilla and Misha, Maisha Maliha and Sharma, Sushmita and Sharmin, Faria and Tasnim, Sadia and Aktar, Salaha and Sarker, Rakhee and Nipun, Rhea Sarkar and Ghosh, Kanak Yadab and Haque, Most. Tamanna and Aziz, Anika Tabassum and Islam, Tayaba Tanjin and Ferdous, Jannatul and Ahmed, Fatma Hosny},
doi = {10.37349/ent.2026.1004155},
journal = {Exploration of Neuroprotective Therapy},
elocation-id = {1004155},
title = {The role of norepinephrine in personality traits: alertness, anxiety, and adaptability—a comprehensive study},
url = {https://www.explorationpub.com/Journals/ent/Article/1004155},
volume = {6},
year = {2026}
}