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Zheng X, Zhou F, Fu M, Xu L, Wang J, Li J, Li K, Sindermann C, Montag C, Becker B, Zhan Y, Kendrick KM. Patterns of neural activity in response to threatening faces are predictive of autistic traits: modulatory effects of oxytocin receptor genotype. Transl Psychiatry 2024; 14:168. [PMID: 38553454 PMCID: PMC10980722 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-024-02889-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Revised: 03/14/2024] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Autistic individuals generally demonstrate impaired emotion recognition but it is unclear whether effects are emotion-specific or influenced by oxytocin receptor (OXTR) genotype. Here we implemented a dimensional approach using an implicit emotion recognition task together with functional MRI in a large cohort of neurotypical adult participants (N = 255, male = 131, aged 17-29 years) to establish associations between autistic traits and neural and behavioral responses to specific face emotions, together with modulatory effects of OXTR genotype. A searchlight-based multivariate pattern analysis (MVPA) revealed an extensive network of frontal, basal ganglia, cingulate and limbic regions exhibiting significant predictability for autistic traits from patterns of responses to angry relative to neutral expression faces. Functional connectivity analyses revealed a genotype interaction (OXTR SNPs rs2254298, rs2268491) for coupling between the orbitofrontal cortex and mid-cingulate during angry expression processing, with a negative association between coupling and autistic traits in the risk-allele group and a positive one in the non-risk allele group. Overall, results indicate extensive emotion-specific associations primarily between patterns of neural responses to angry faces and autistic traits in regions processing motivation, reward and salience but not in early visual processing. Functional connections between these identified regions were not only associated with autistic traits but also influenced by OXTR genotype. Thus, altered patterns of neural responses to threatening faces may be a potential biomarker for autistic symptoms although modulatory influences of OXTR genotype need to be taken into account.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoxiao Zheng
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Laboratory for NeuroInformation, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute (BCBDI), Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Feng Zhou
- Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Meina Fu
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Laboratory for NeuroInformation, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Lei Xu
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Laboratory for NeuroInformation, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Sichuan Normal University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Jiayuan Wang
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Laboratory for NeuroInformation, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Jialin Li
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Laboratory for NeuroInformation, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Keshuang Li
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Laboratory for NeuroInformation, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Cornelia Sindermann
- University of Stuttgart, Computational Digital Psychology, Interchange Forum for Reflecting on Intelligent Systems, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Christian Montag
- Department of Molecular Psychology, Institute of Psychology and Education, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Benjamin Becker
- State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, The University of Hongkong, Hongkong, China
| | - Yang Zhan
- Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute (BCBDI), Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China.
| | - Keith M Kendrick
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Laboratory for NeuroInformation, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
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Ghamari R, Tahmaseb M, Sarabi-Jamab A, Etesami SA, Mohammadzadeh A, Alizadeh F, Tehrani-Doost M. Association of verbal and non-verbal theory of mind abilities with non-coding variants of OXTR in youth with autism spectrum disorder and typically developing individuals: a case-control study. BMC Psychiatry 2024; 24:30. [PMID: 38191308 PMCID: PMC10773038 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-023-05461-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The ability to attribute mental states to others is called theory of mind (ToM) and is a substantial component of social cognition. This ability is abnormally developed in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Several studies over the past decade have identified the oxytocin receptor gene (OXTR) and its variants as promising components for explaining the molecular mechanisms underlying Theory of Mind (ToM). The main aim of this study is to examine the association between rs2268498 and rs53576, two functional single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), and verbal and non-verbal ToM in children and adolescents with ASD and a group of typically developing youth. METHODS The study involved 44 children and adolescents with high-functioning ASD aged 8 to 18 years old and 44 TD individuals who were matched on age and sex. In all participants, blood samples were collected and rs2268498 and rs53576 were genotyped. Happe's Strange Stories test and the moving shapes paradigm were used to measure verbal and non-verbal ToM in all participants. RESULTS The results of permutation tests and logistic regression suggested that in TD group, rs2268498 AA carriers showed significant higher scores in variables representing verbal ToM (ToM stories and appropriateness score) whereas, in ASD group, rs53576 AA carriers exhibited significant better performance in parameters related to non-verbal ToM (ToM general rule and intentionality score). The results of hierarchical clustering in both groups support the findings by distinguishing between language-related and language-independent aspects of ToM. CONCLUSIONS In the present study, we examined the association between rs2268498 and rs53576 and social functioning in individuals with ASD and TD group. We found preliminary evidence that rs2268498 and rs53576 are associated with ToM related abilities in healthy individuals as well as in autistic individuals. Accordingly, rs2268498 and rs53576 may play an important role in predicting ToM capabilities. It will be necessary to conduct further research to address the association of genetic variants with a deficit in ToM in individuals with ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rana Ghamari
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Tahmaseb
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Atiye Sarabi-Jamab
- School of Cognitive Sciences, Institute for Research in Fundamental Sciences (IPM), Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Azar Mohammadzadeh
- Research Center for Cognitive and Behavioral Sciences, Roozbeh Psychiatry Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Alizadeh
- Department of Genomic Psychiatry and Behavioral Genomics (DGPBG), School of Medicine, Roozbeh Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS), Tehran, Iran.
| | - Mehdi Tehrani-Doost
- Research Center for Cognitive and Behavioral Sciences, Roozbeh Psychiatry Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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Li Y, Wang Y, Guan X, Yue J, Wu HE, Zhen S, He SC, Zhang XY. Genotype-genotype interactions of the OXTR gene polymorphisms are associated with self-reported daytime dysfunction, sleep latency and personal distress. J Sleep Res 2023; 32:e13668. [PMID: 35706410 DOI: 10.1111/jsr.13668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Revised: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 05/22/2022] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
The oxytocin receptors located in the corticotropin-releasing factor neurons of the paraventricular nucleus are stimulated by oxytocin. Oxytocin functions as the regulator of the corticotropin-releasing factor system and in turn promotes sleep quality. The objective of this study was to examine the main and genotype-genotype interactive effects of the oxytocin receptor gene (OXTR) polymorphisms on sleep quality. A total of 324 participants were randomly recruited from a university in Beijing, China. Sleep quality was measured with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. The OXTR single-nucleotide polymorphisms (rs2254298, rs2268498, rs13316193, rs2268490 and rs2268491) were genotyped. The results showed that gender and age were associated with various empathy traits (all p < 0.001). The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index was positively correlated with the Personal Distress subscale of empathy (p < 0.001). Both rs2254298 and rs2268491 interacted with rs13316193 to influence daytime dysfunction and Personal Distress (all p < 0.05), indicating that in individuals with rs13316193 CC/CT genotype, those with rs2254298 AA/AG or rs2268491 TT/TC genotypes displayed higher daytime dysfunction and Personal Distress scores than those with rs2254298 GG or rs2268491 CC genotypes. Conversely, among the individuals with rs2254298 GG or rs2268491 CC genotypes, the rs13316193 C allele carriers had lower daytime dysfunction and Personal Distress scores than rs13316193 TT homozygotes. There was also a significant interaction between rs2268490 and rs2268498 on the sleep latency dimension of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Our findings reveal for the first time the genotype-genotype interactions of the OXTR gene on sleep quality, which may open new research avenues for studying psychopathology involving sleep problems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuling Li
- School of Psychological and Cognitive Sciences and Beijing Key Laboratory of Behavior and Mental Health, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Yuan Wang
- PLA Strategic Support Force Medical Center, Beijing, China
| | - Xin Guan
- PLA Strategic Support Force Medical Center, Beijing, China
| | - Jingyan Yue
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Hanjing Emily Wu
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Shiqian Zhen
- Institute of Circulation and Consumption, Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation, Beijing, China
| | - Shu-Chang He
- School of Psychological and Cognitive Sciences and Beijing Key Laboratory of Behavior and Mental Health, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiang-Yang Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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Neuroimaging genetics of oxytocin: A transcriptomics-informed systematic review. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2022; 142:104912. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Revised: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 10/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Cicekliyurt MM, Dermenci B. Relationship between oxytocin receptor gene polymorphism and hypertension in Turkish population. Rev Port Cardiol 2022; 41:S0870-2551(22)00356-0. [PMID: 36266116 DOI: 10.1016/j.repc.2021.06.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2021] [Revised: 06/14/2021] [Accepted: 06/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES Known to play a key role in uterine contraction and milk ejection, the neuropeptide, oxytocin, has cardiovascular effects. To date, the known cardiovascular effects of oxytocin are blood pressure lowering (caused by natriuresis and atrial natriuretic peptide release), negative inotropic and chronotropic effect caused by parasympathetic neuromodulation, anti-stress effect and vasodilation mediated by activation of the nitric oxide pathway. The clinical significance of the rs2268498 polymorphism in oxytocin receptors in these effects is controversial. Based on the known genetic inheritance of hypertension, our research aimed to determine whether the presence of the rs2268498 oxytocin receptor (OXTR) allele C affects hypertension in our region. METHODS This article is a case-control study conducted in the Turkish population. About 140 normotensive and 140 isolated hypertensive volunteers included in the research and genotyped with real-time PCR hybridization method via melt curve analysis. RESULTS Oxytocin receptor rs2268498 polymorphism was assessed in terms of the risk of hypertension and hypertensive individuals were compared to the control group. OXTR rs2268498 polymorphism was not found to be a significant risk factor for dominant, recessive and additive modeled hypertension (ORdominant: 0.966, 95% CI: 0.57-1.61, p: 0.9; ORrecessive: 1, 95% CI: 0.58-1.71, p: 1.0 and ORoverall: 0.98, chi2=0.01). CONCLUSION We concluded that rs2268498 single nucleotide polymorphism is not a risk factor for hypertension in our region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Merve M Cicekliyurt
- Canakkale Onsekiz Mart University, Faculty of Medicine, Medical Biology Department, Canakkale, Turkey.
| | - Begum Dermenci
- Canakkale Onsekiz Mart University, Health Sciences Institute, Medical System Biology Department, Canakkale, Turkey
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6
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Gao Y, Sun J, Cheng L, Yang Q, Li J, Hao Z, Zhan L, Shi Y, Li M, Jia X, Li H. Altered resting state dynamic functional connectivity of amygdala subregions in patients with autism spectrum disorder: A multi-site fMRI study. J Affect Disord 2022; 312:69-77. [PMID: 35710036 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2022.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Revised: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is associated with altered brain connectivity. Previous studies have focused on the static functional connectivity pattern from amygdala subregions in ASD while ignoring its dynamics. Considering that dynamic functional connectivity (dFC) can provide different perspectives, the present study aims to investigate the dFC pattern of the amygdala subregions in ASD patients. METHODS Data of 618 ASD patients and 836 typical controls (TCs) of 30 sites were obtained from the Autism Brain Imaging Data Exchange (ABIDE) database. The sliding window approach was applied to conduct seed-based dFC analysis. The seed regions were bilateral basolateral (BLA) and centromedial-superficial amygdala (CSA). A two-sample t-test was done at each site. Image-based meta-analysis (IBMA) based on the results from all sites was performed. Correlation analysis was conducted between the dFC values and the clinical scores. RESULTS The ASD patients showed lower dFC between the left BLA and the bilateral inferior temporal (ITG)/left superior frontal gyrus, between the right BLA and right ITG/right thalamus/left superior temporal gyrus, and between the right CSA and middle temporal gyrus. The ASD patients showed higher dFC between the left BLA and temporal lobe/right supramarginal gyrus, between the right BLA and left calcarine gyrus, and between the left CSA and left calcarine gyrus. Correlation analysis revealed that the symptom severity was positively correlated with the dFC between the bilateral BLA and ITG in ASD. CONCLUSIONS Abnormal dFC of the specific amygdala subregions may provide new insights into the pathological mechanisms of ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanyan Gao
- College of Teacher Education, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, China; Key Laboratory of Intelligent Education Technology and Application, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, China
| | - Jiawei Sun
- School of Information and Electronics Technology, Jiamusi University, Jiamusi, China
| | - Lulu Cheng
- School of Foreign Studies, China University of Petroleum, Qingdao, China; Shanghai Center for Research in English Language Education, Shanghai International Studies University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qihang Yang
- College of Foreign Language, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, China
| | - Jing Li
- College of Teacher Education, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, China; Key Laboratory of Intelligent Education Technology and Application, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, China
| | - Zeqi Hao
- College of Teacher Education, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, China; Key Laboratory of Intelligent Education Technology and Application, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, China
| | - Linlin Zhan
- Faculty of Western Languages, Heilongjiang University, Harbin, China
| | - Yuyu Shi
- College of Teacher Education, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, China; Key Laboratory of Intelligent Education Technology and Application, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, China
| | - Mengting Li
- College of Teacher Education, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, China; Key Laboratory of Intelligent Education Technology and Application, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, China
| | - Xize Jia
- College of Teacher Education, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, China; Key Laboratory of Intelligent Education Technology and Application, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, China.
| | - Huayun Li
- College of Teacher Education, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, China; Key Laboratory of Intelligent Education Technology and Application, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, China.
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Genetic determinants of arterial hypertension: A case of oxytocin receptor gene polymorphism. Rev Port Cardiol 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.repc.2022.07.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
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8
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Progress in Personalized Psychiatric Therapy with the Example of Using Intranasal Oxytocin in PTSD Treatment. J Pers Med 2022; 12:jpm12071067. [PMID: 35887564 PMCID: PMC9317706 DOI: 10.3390/jpm12071067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Revised: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a severe mental disorder that results in the frequent coexistence of other diseases, lowers patients’ quality of life, and has a high annual cost of treatment. However, despite the variety of therapeutic approaches that exist, some patients still do not achieve the desired results. In addition, we may soon face an increase in the number of new PTSD cases because of the current global situation—both the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing armed conflicts. Hence, in recent years, many publications have sought a new, more personalized treatment approach. One such approach is the administration of intranasal oxytocin (INOXT), which, due to its pleiotropic effects, seems to be a promising therapeutic option. However, the current findings suggest that it might only be helpful for a limited, strictly selected group of patients.
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Zhong Y, An L, Wang Y, Yang L, Cao Q. Functional abnormality in the sensorimotor system attributed to NRXN1 variants in boys with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Brain Imaging Behav 2021; 16:967-976. [PMID: 34687402 DOI: 10.1007/s11682-021-00579-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2020] [Accepted: 10/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Impaired sensorimotor circuits have been suggested in Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). NRXN1, highly expressed in cortex and cerebellum, was one of the candidate risk genes for ADHD, while its effects on sensorimotor circuits are unclear. In this content, we aimed to investigate the differential brain effects as functions of the cumulative genetic effects of NRXN1 variants in ADHD and healthy controls (HCs), identifying a potential pathway mapping from NRXN1, sensorimotor circuits, to ADHD. Magnetic resonance imaging, blood samples and clinical assessments were acquired from 53 male ADHD and 46 sex-matched HCs simultaneously. The effects of the cumulative genetic effects of NRXN1 variants valued by poly-variant risk score (PRS), on brain function was measured by resting-state functional connectivity (rs-FC) of cerebrocerebellar circuits. Mediation analyses were conducted to evaluate the association between NRXN1, functional abnormality, and ADHD diagnosis, as well as ADHD symptoms. The results were validated by bootstrapping and 10,000 times permutation tests. The rs-FC analyses demonstrated significant mediation models for ADHD diagnosis, and emphasized the involvement of cerebellum, middle cingulate gyrus and temporal gyrus, which are crucial parts of sensorimotor circuits. The current study suggested NRXN1 conferred risk for ADHD by regulating the function of sensorimotor circuits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanxin Zhong
- Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University Institute of Mental Health, NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders (Peking University Sixth Hospital), Huayuan Bei Road 51, Haidian District, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Li An
- Institute of Applied Psychology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Yufeng Wang
- Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University Institute of Mental Health, NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders (Peking University Sixth Hospital), Huayuan Bei Road 51, Haidian District, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Li Yang
- Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University Institute of Mental Health, NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders (Peking University Sixth Hospital), Huayuan Bei Road 51, Haidian District, Beijing, 100191, China.
| | - Qingjiu Cao
- Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University Institute of Mental Health, NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders (Peking University Sixth Hospital), Huayuan Bei Road 51, Haidian District, Beijing, 100191, China.
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10
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Yang Y, Yang B, Zhang L, Peng G, Fang D. Dynamic Functional Connectivity Reveals Abnormal Variability in the Amygdala Subregions of Children With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:648143. [PMID: 34658751 PMCID: PMC8514188 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.648143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2020] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: This study investigates whether the dynamic functional connectivity (dFC) of the amygdala subregions is altered in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Methods: The dFC of the amygdala subregions was systematically calculated using a sliding time window method, for 75 children with ADHD and 20 healthy control (HC) children. Results: Compared with the HC group, the right superficial amygdala exhibited significantly higher dFC with the right prefrontal cortex, the left precuneus, and the left post-central gyrus for children in the ADHD group. The dFC of the amygdala subregions showed a negative association with the cognitive functions of children in the ADHD group. Conclusion: Functional connectivity of the amygdala subregions is more unstable among children with ADHD. In demonstrating an association between the stability of functional connectivity of the amygdala and cognitive functions, this study may contribute by providing a new direction for investigating the internal mechanism of ADHD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Yang
- Children's Healthcare & Mental Health Center, Shenzhen Children's Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Binrang Yang
- Children's Healthcare & Mental Health Center, Shenzhen Children's Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Linlin Zhang
- Children's Healthcare & Mental Health Center, Shenzhen Children's Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Gang Peng
- Children's Healthcare & Mental Health Center, Shenzhen Children's Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Diangang Fang
- Children's Healthcare & Mental Health Center, Shenzhen Children's Hospital, Shenzhen, China
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Dobewall H, Saarinen A, Lyytikäinen LP, Keltikangas-Järvinen L, Lehtimäki T, Hintsanen M. Functional Polymorphisms in Oxytocin and Dopamine Pathway Genes and the Development of Dispositional Compassion Over Time: The Young Finns Study. Front Psychol 2021; 12:576346. [PMID: 33897514 PMCID: PMC8060576 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.576346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2020] [Accepted: 03/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: We define compassion as an enduring disposition that centers upon empathetic concern for another person's suffering and the motivation to act to alleviate it. The contribution of specific candidate genes to the development of dispositional compassion for others is currently unknown. We examine candidate genes in the oxytocin and dopamine signaling pathways. Methods: In a 32-year follow-up of the Young Finns Study (N = 2,130, 44.0% men), we examined with multiple indicators latent growth curve modeling the molecular genetic underpinnings of dispositional compassion for others across the life span. We selected five single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) whose functions are known in humans: rs2268498 (OXTR), rs3796863 (CD38) (related to lower oxytocin levels), rs1800497 (ANKK1/DRD2), rs4680 (COMT), and rs1611115 (DBH) (related to higher dopamine levels). Compassion was measured with Cloninger's Temperament and Character Inventory on three repeated observations spanning 15 years (1997–2012). Differences between gender were tested. Results: We did not find an effect of the five SNPs in oxytocin and dopamine pathway genes on the initial levels of dispositional compassion for others. Individuals who carry one or two copies of the T-allele of DBH rs1611115, however, tend to increase faster in compassion over time than those homozygotes for the C-allele, b = 0.063 (SE = 0.027; p = 0.018). This effect was largely driven by male participants, 0.206 (SE = 0.046; p < 0.001), and was not significant in female participants when analyzed separately. Conclusions: Men who are known to have, on average, lower compassion than women seem to reduce this difference over time if they carry the T-allele of DBH rs1611115. The direction of the association indicates that dopamine signaling activity rather than overall dopamine levels might drive the development of compassion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henrik Dobewall
- Research Unit of Psychology, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland.,Department of Psychology and Logopedics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,Fimlab Laboratories, and Finnish Cardiovascular Research Center - Tampere, Department of Clinical Chemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
| | - Aino Saarinen
- Research Unit of Psychology, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland.,Department of Psychology and Logopedics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Leo-Pekka Lyytikäinen
- Fimlab Laboratories, and Finnish Cardiovascular Research Center - Tampere, Department of Clinical Chemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
| | | | - Terho Lehtimäki
- Fimlab Laboratories, and Finnish Cardiovascular Research Center - Tampere, Department of Clinical Chemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
| | - Mirka Hintsanen
- Research Unit of Psychology, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
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12
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Ahern TH, Olsen S, Tudino R, Beery A. Natural variation in the oxytocin receptor gene and rearing interact to influence reproductive and nonreproductive social behavior and receptor binding. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2021; 128:105209. [PMID: 33839431 PMCID: PMC8131238 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2021.105209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2020] [Revised: 03/23/2021] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Individual variation in social behavior offers an opportunity to explore gene-by-environment interactions that could contribute to adaptative or atypical behavioral profiles (e.g., autism spectrum disorders). Outbred, socially monogamous prairie voles provide an excellent model to experimentally explore how natural variations in rearing and genetic diversity interact to shape reproductive and nonreproductive social behavior. In this study, we manipulated rearing (biparental versus dam-only), genotyped the intronic NT213739 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of the oxytocin receptor gene (Oxtr), and then assessed how each factor and their interaction related to reciprocal interactions and partner preference in male and female adult prairie voles. We found that C/T subjects reared biparentally formed more robust partner preferences than T/T subjects. In general, dam-only reared animals huddled less with a conspecific in reproductive and nonreproductive contexts, but the effect of rearing was more pronounced in T/T animals. In line with previous literature, C/T animals exhibited higher densities of oxytocin receptor (OXTR) in the striatum (caudoputamen, nucleus accumbens) compared to T/T subjects. There was also a gene-by-rearing interaction in the striatum and insula of females: In the insula, T/T females expressed varying OXTR densities depending on rearing. Overall, this study demonstrates that significant differences in adult reproductive and nonreproductive social behavior and OXTR density can arise due to natural differences in Oxtr, experimental manipulations of rearing, and their interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Todd H. Ahern
- Center for Behavioral Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, Quinnipiac University, 275 Mount Carmel Ave., BC-SCI, Hamden, CT, USA,Correspondence: Todd H. Ahern, PhD, , (203) 582-6402
| | - Sara Olsen
- Center for Behavioral Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, Quinnipiac University, 275 Mount Carmel Ave., BC-SCI, Hamden, CT, USA
| | - Ryan Tudino
- Center for Behavioral Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, Quinnipiac University, 275 Mount Carmel Ave., BC-SCI, Hamden, CT, USA
| | - Annaliese Beery
- Department of Psychology, Department of Biology, Program in Neuroscience, Smith College, 44 College Lane, Northampton, MA, USA,Department of Integrative Biology, University of California Berkeley, 3030 Valley Life Sciences Building, Berkeley, CA, USA
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Montag C, Ebstein RP, Jawinski P, Markett S. Molecular genetics in psychology and personality neuroscience: On candidate genes, genome wide scans, and new research strategies. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2020; 118:163-174. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2020.06.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2019] [Revised: 06/11/2020] [Accepted: 06/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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Burnout in university faculty: An interaction between subjective sleep quality and the OXTR rs2268498 polymorphism. J Affect Disord 2020; 276:927-935. [PMID: 32739712 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2020.07.094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2020] [Revised: 06/15/2020] [Accepted: 07/05/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Job burnout is a stress-related syndrome influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. Poor sleep quality acting as a stressor may lead to job burnout. The oxytocin receptor gene (OXTR) related to stress reactivity may also exert an effect on job burnout. We aimed to explore the effect of sleep quality, a functional OXTR rs2268498 polymorphism, and their interaction on job burnout in the Chinese population, which has not been explored yet. METHODS A preliminary study was performed using a cross-sectional design. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and the Malash Burnout Inventory (MBI) were measured from 575 healthy subjects. The OXTR rs2468498 polymorphism was genotyped in 376 subjects. RESULTS There were significant main effects of sleep quality (p<0.05), but not of the OXTR rs2468498 genotype on burnout. Interestingly, the interaction between sleep quality and the rs2468498 genotype was significant (p<0.05). In the poor sleep group, the C allele (C/C and T/C) carriers showed higher Emotional Exhaustion level than T homozygotes, while in the good sleep group, the C allele carrier showed a lower Emotional Exhaustion level. LIMITATIONS This study covered subjects from only one university and the sample size for genotyping was relatively small. As we analyzed only the OXTR rs2268498 polymorphism, this study could not reveal the effects of the cerebrospinal oxytocin concentration and the haplotypes. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that the OXTR polymorphism modulates the influence of subjective sleep quality on burnout. We conclude that the C allele of the OXTR rs2468498 polymorphism plays a susceptible role in job burnout.
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Sicorello M, Dieckmann L, Moser D, Lux V, Luhmann M, Schlotz W, Kumsta R. Oxytocin and the stress buffering effect of social company: a genetic study in daily life. Soc Cogn Affect Neurosci 2020; 15:293-301. [PMID: 32227088 PMCID: PMC7235964 DOI: 10.1093/scan/nsaa034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2020] [Revised: 02/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Social relationships are a crucial determinant of both mental and physical health. This effect is partly due to social buffering of stress. Animal studies suggest that social buffering is mediated via the oxytocin system, while studies in humans are sparse and limited by the low ecological validity of laboratory settings. In the present study, participants (N = 326) completed smartphone questionnaires four times a day over 4 to 5 days, measuring stressors, negative affect, and social context to assess social buffering. We found that under stress, participants reported a higher need for social company. Further, the impact of prior stressful events on momentary negative affect was attenuated by the perceived pleasantness of current social company. This social buffering effect was moderated by haplotypes of the oxytocin receptor gene, based on two well-described single nucleotide polymorphisms (rs2268498, rs53576). Effects were robust when controlling for gender and age, applying different data quality criteria, and even apparent in genotype-based analyses. Our findings demonstrate that social buffering and its modulation by oxytocin system characteristics have implications for life as lived outside the laboratory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maurizio Sicorello
- Department of Genetic Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, Ruhr-University Bochum, 44801 Bochum, Germany
| | - Linda Dieckmann
- Department of Genetic Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, Ruhr-University Bochum, 44801 Bochum, Germany
| | - Dirk Moser
- Department of Genetic Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, Ruhr-University Bochum, 44801 Bochum, Germany
| | - Vanessa Lux
- Department of Genetic Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, Ruhr-University Bochum, 44801 Bochum, Germany
| | - Maike Luhmann
- Department of Psychological Methods, Faculty of Psychology, Ruhr-University Bochum, 44801 Bochum, Germany
| | - Wolff Schlotz
- Max-Planck-Institute for Empirical Aesthetics, Frankfurt am Main, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Institute of Psychology, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Robert Kumsta
- Department of Genetic Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, Ruhr-University Bochum, 44801 Bochum, Germany
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16
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Palumbo S, Mariotti V, Anastasio T, Rota G, Lucchi L, Manfrinati A, Rumiati R, Lotto L, Sarlo M, Pietrini P, Pellegrini S. A genetic profile of oxytocin receptor improves moral acceptability of outcome-maximizing harm in male insurance brokers. Behav Brain Res 2020; 392:112681. [PMID: 32387223 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2020.112681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2019] [Revised: 03/26/2020] [Accepted: 04/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
In recent years, conflicting findings have been reported in the scientific literature about the influence of dopaminergic, serotonergic and oxytocinergic gene variants on moral behavior. Here, we utilized a moral judgment paradigm to test the potential effects on moral choices of three polymorphisms of the Oxytocin receptor (OXTR): rs53576, rs2268498 and rs1042770. We analyzed the influence of each single polymorphism and of genetic profiles obtained by different combinations of their genotypes in a sample of male insurance brokers (n = 129), as compared to control males (n = 109). Insurance brokers resulted significantly more oriented to maximize outcomes than control males, thus they expressed more than controls the utilitarian attitude phenotype. When analyzed individually, none of the selected variants influenced the responses to moral dilemmas. In contrast, a composite genetic profile that potentially increases OXTR activity was associated with higher moral acceptability in brokers. We hypothesize that this genetic profile promotes outcome-maximizing behavior in brokers by focusing their attention on what represents a greater good, that is, saving the highest number of people, even though at the cost of sacrificing one individual. Our data suggest that investigations in a sample that most expresses the phenotype of interest, combined with the analysis of composite genetic profiles rather than individual variants, represent a promising strategy to find out weak genetic influences on complex phenotypes, such as moral behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Palumbo
- Department of Surgical, Medical and Molecular Pathology and Critical Care Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Veronica Mariotti
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Teresa Anastasio
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | | | | | - Andrea Manfrinati
- Department of Developmental Psychology and Socialization, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Rino Rumiati
- Department of Developmental Psychology and Socialization, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Lorella Lotto
- Department of Developmental Psychology and Socialization, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Michela Sarlo
- Department of General Psychology and Padova Neuroscience Center, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | | | - Silvia Pellegrini
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
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Tolomeo S, Chiao B, Lei Z, Chew SH, Ebstein RP. A Novel Role of CD38 and Oxytocin as Tandem Molecular Moderators of Human Social Behavior. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2020; 115:251-272. [PMID: 32360414 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2020.04.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2019] [Revised: 03/18/2020] [Accepted: 04/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Oxytocin is an important modulator of human affiliative behaviors, including social skills, human pair bonding, and friendship. CD38 will be discussed as an immune marker and then in more detail the mechanisms of CD38 on releasing brain oxytocin. Mention is made of the paralogue of oxytocin, vasopressin, that has often overlapping and complementary functions with oxytocin on social behavior. Curiously, vasopressin does not require CD38 to be released from the brain. This review discusses the social salience hypothesis of oxytocin action, a novel view of how this molecule influences much of human social behaviors often in contradictory ways. The oxytocinergic-vasopressinergic systems are crucial modulators of broad aspects of human personality. Of special interest are studies of these two hormones in trust related behavior observed using behavioral economic games. This review also covers the role of oxytocin in parenting and parental attachment. In conclusion, the effects of oxytocin on human behavior depend on the individual's social context and importantly as well, the individual's cultural milieu, viz. East and West. ACRONYMS: ACC = Anterior Cingulate ADP = Adenosine diphosphate AQ = Autism Quotient cADPR = Cyclic ADP-ribose CNS = Central nervous system DA = Dopamine eQTLC = Expression Quantitative Trait Loci LC-NE = Locus Coeruleus-Norepinephrine MRI = Magnetic Resonance Imaging OFC = Orbitofrontal cortices OXT = Oxytocin RAGE = Receptor for advanced glycation end-products SARM1 = Sterile Alpha and toll/interleukin-1 receptor motif-containing 1 TRPM2= Transient Receptor Potential Cation Channel Subfamily M Member 2 AVP = Vasopressin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serenella Tolomeo
- Department of Psychology, National University of Singapore, Singapore.
| | - Benjamin Chiao
- CCBEF (China Center for Behavior Economics and Finance) & SOE (School of Economics), Southwestern University of Finance and Economics, Chengdu, China; PSB Paris School of Business, Paris, France
| | - Zhen Lei
- CCBEF (China Center for Behavior Economics and Finance) & SOE (School of Economics), Southwestern University of Finance and Economics, Chengdu, China
| | - Soo Hong Chew
- CCBEF (China Center for Behavior Economics and Finance) & SOE (School of Economics), Southwestern University of Finance and Economics, Chengdu, China.
| | - Richard P Ebstein
- CCBEF (China Center for Behavior Economics and Finance) & SOE (School of Economics), Southwestern University of Finance and Economics, Chengdu, China.
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18
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Meixner F, Montag C, Herbert C. Affective Language, Interpretation Bias and Its Molecular Genetic Variations: Exploring the Relationship Between Genetic Variations of the OXTR Gene (rs53576 and rs2268498) and the Emotional Evaluation of Words Related to the Self or the Other. Front Psychol 2019; 10:68. [PMID: 30873056 PMCID: PMC6401597 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2018] [Accepted: 01/10/2019] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Several studies have demonstrated links between oxytocin and socio-emotional information processing. Regarding the frequently studied single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs53576 and the less studied, functional polymorphism rs2268498 of the oxytocin receptor (OXTR) gene, previous research suggested that their variants might be associated with different proficiency in the processing of social information. Differences between the genotype variants are not restricted to non-verbal stimulus processing but have also been reported in the verbal domain. Moreover, there is evidence that oxytocin expression influences empathic communication and language development during childhood, indicating that language-based theory-of-mind abilities may be affected by interindividual differences in OXTR genotypes as well. The present study therefore investigates whether two prominent SNPs of the OXTR gene (rs53576 GG vs. A+; rs2268498 TT vs. C+) also play a role in the affective evaluation of verbal stimuli varying in emotional valence and in self-other reference. Participants (N = 149 Caucasian participants, 104 females; A+: n = 80, GG: n = 69; C+: n = 98, TT: n = 51) were presented a series of written, self-, other-, and unreferenced words of positive, negative, and neutral valence and asked to affectively evaluate each word pair as positive, negative, or neutral by button press. In line with previous research, reaction times and accuracy (number of valence-congruent responses) showed a self-positivity bias (i.e., preferential processing of self-related positive words), which, however, was unaffected by participants' genotype. Regarding affective evaluation of neutral words (interpretation bias), A+ carriers displayed a weaker positive interpretation bias compared to GG carriers in the other- and unreferenced stimulus categories. C+ carriers showed a weaker positive interpretation bias than TT carriers in the self-reference condition and in the other-reference condition. These effects were independent from participants' gender. The present results suggest that the OXTR genotype and hence participants' genetic oxytocin sensitivity may cause an interpretation bias in the spontaneous appraisal of neutral words.
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Affiliation(s)
- Friedrich Meixner
- Applied Emotion and Motivation Psychology, Institute of Psychology and Education, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Christian Montag
- Molecular Psychology, Institute of Psychology and Education, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Lab for Neuroinformation, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Cornelia Herbert
- Applied Emotion and Motivation Psychology, Institute of Psychology and Education, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
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