A research team led by Professor Bing Liu from Beijing Normal University and Researcher Ang Li from the Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, has published a study titled "The Dual Nature of Neuroticism: Distinct Dimensions Impact Longevity and Well-being" in Science Bulletin.
An ancient Chinese proverb states: "Life springs from sorrow and calamity; death comes from ease and pleasure." From an evolutionary perspective, fear and anxiety are far from burdens—they are survival instincts forged through harsh natural selection. By activating ancient brain regions such as the amygdala and hippocampus, these traits enabled humans to avoid danger and survive across generations. However, modern epidemiological studies present a puzzling contradiction: high neuroticism is associated with increased risks of mental disorders, chronic diseases, and even mortality. This paradox raises a fundamental question: If neuroticism is truly harmful, why hasn't it been eliminated by natural selection? Could it harbor distinct dimensions serving different evolutionary purposes?
To solve this puzzle, the research team developed a geometric embedding method based on inter-subject similarity networks, overcoming the limitations of traditional factor analysis to extract core personality dimensions from topological structures. The team integrated electronic health records, mortality tracking data, brain structural imaging, genome-wide data, and lifestyle surveys—achieving the first cross-scale systematic analysis spanning from phenotype to genotype and from behavior to brain in personality research.
The study revealed a dual-dimensional structure of neuroticism. The first dimension is primarily associated with mental disorders and life well-being, with its neural basis localized in higher-order emotion regulation regions such as the anterior cingulate cortex. Genetic variants linked to this dimension are enriched in human accelerated regions, suggesting it may represent a uniquely human psychological adaptation.
Even more striking was the discovery of a second dimension—ERIS (Emotional Reactivity and Internal Stability). ERIS describes a continuum: individuals at the high end exhibit emotional reactivity characterized by anxiety and worry, while those at the low end display fed-up and emotional instability. "Surprisingly, high-ERIS individuals, despite being more prone to anxiety and worry, live significantly longer than those with low neuroticism," explains Dr. Yini He, first author of the study. "This is because they undergo more frequent health check-ups, actively avoid risky behaviors, and maintain healthier dietary habits."
ERIS is associated with evolutionarily conserved subcortical structures, including the amygdala, hippocampus, and thalamus, representing an ancient survival strategy. "This finding demonstrates that different dimensions of neuroticism serve distinct evolutionary missions—'ensuring survival' versus 'pursuing happiness'," says the author. "Moderately worrying while maintaining emotional stability may indeed be nature's gift for longevity."
Dr. Yini He, Assistant Researcher at the Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, is the first author. Professor Bing Liu and Researcher Ang Li are co-corresponding authors. Professor Jing Xiao from Capital Normal University, Dr. Ke Hu from the Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and Ms. Tian Gao from the Institute of Biophysics made important contributions. This work was supported by the STI 2030—Major Projects on Brain Science and Brain-inspired Intelligence, the National Natural Science Foundation of China, and the Beijing Nova Program.
