1
|
Liu S, Zeng Z, Qi Q, Yang Q, Hu Y. The Effect of Peer Relationships on Adolescent Loneliness: The Role of Psychological Resilience and the OXTR Gene. Psychol Res Behav Manag 2024; 17:2477-2489. [PMID: 38933337 PMCID: PMC11204807 DOI: 10.2147/prbm.s460393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 06/05/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Based on the gene-environment interaction paradigm, this study explored the effect of peer relationships on adolescent loneliness and the role of psychological resilience and the oxytocin receptor gene (OXTR). Methods A survey was conducted in a sample of 619 adolescents, and their oral cells were collected for DNA extraction and genotyping. Results The results showed that (1) both peer relationships and psychological resilience significantly affected adolescent loneliness; (2) psychological resilience partially mediated the relationship between peer relationships and loneliness in adolescents; (3) OXTR gene rs53576 polymorphism moderated both the first and second half of the indirect pathway of the mediation model. Specifically, carriers of the rs53576 polymorphism A/A genotype showed a significantly enhanced effect of peer relationships on adolescent psychological resilience, while carriers of the rs53576 polymorphism G/G genotype showed a significantly enhanced effect of psychological resilience on adolescent loneliness. Conclusion These findings helped elucidate the developmental mechanisms of adolescent loneliness in terms of peer relationships, psychological resilience, and OXTR gene polymorphisms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shuangjin Liu
- School of Educational Science, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410006, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zihao Zeng
- School of Educational Science, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410006, People’s Republic of China
| | - Qi Qi
- School of Educational Science, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410006, People’s Republic of China
| | - Qin Yang
- School of Educational Science, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410006, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yiqiu Hu
- School of Educational Science, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410006, People’s Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Bowirrat A, Elman I, Dennen CA, Gondré-Lewis MC, Cadet JL, Khalsa J, Baron D, Soni D, Gold MS, McLaughlin TJ, Bagchi D, Braverman ER, Ceccanti M, Thanos PK, Modestino EJ, Sunder K, Jafari N, Zeine F, Badgaiyan RD, Barh D, Makale M, Murphy KT, Blum K. Neurogenetics and Epigenetics of Loneliness. Psychol Res Behav Manag 2023; 16:4839-4857. [PMID: 38050640 PMCID: PMC10693768 DOI: 10.2147/prbm.s423802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Loneliness, an established risk factor for both, mental and physical morbidity, is a mounting public health concern. However, the neurobiological mechanisms underlying loneliness-related morbidity are not yet well defined. Here we examined the role of genes and associated DNA risk polymorphic variants that are implicated in loneliness via genetic and epigenetic mechanisms and may thus point to specific therapeutic targets. Searches were conducted on PubMed, Medline, and EMBASE databases using specific Medical Subject Headings terms such as loneliness and genes, neuro- and epigenetics, addiction, affective disorders, alcohol, anti-reward, anxiety, depression, dopamine, cancer, cardiovascular, cognitive, hypodopaminergia, medical, motivation, (neuro)psychopathology, social isolation, and reward deficiency. The narrative literature review yielded recursive collections of scientific and clinical evidence, which were subsequently condensed and summarized in the following key areas: (1) Genetic Antecedents: Exploration of multiple genes mediating reward, stress, immunity and other important vital functions; (2) Genes and Mental Health: Examination of genes linked to personality traits and mental illnesses providing insights into the intricate network of interaction converging on the experience of loneliness; (3) Epigenetic Effects: Inquiry into instances of loneliness and social isolation that are driven by epigenetic methylations associated with negative childhood experiences; and (4) Neural Correlates: Analysis of loneliness-related affective states and cognitions with a focus on hypodopaminergic reward deficiency arising in the context of early life stress, eg, maternal separation, underscoring the importance of parental support early in life. Identification of the individual contributions by various (epi)genetic factors presents opportunities for the creation of innovative preventive, diagnostic, and therapeutic approaches for individuals who cope with persistent feelings of loneliness. The clinical facets and therapeutic prospects associated with the current understanding of loneliness, are discussed emphasizing the relevance of genes and DNA risk polymorphic variants in the context of loneliness-related morbidity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Abdalla Bowirrat
- Department of Molecular Biology, Adelson School of Medicine, Ariel University, Ariel, 40700, Israel
| | - Igor Elman
- Cambridge Health Alliance, Harvard Medical School, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Catherine A Dennen
- Department of Family Medicine, Jefferson Health Northeast, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Marjorie C Gondré-Lewis
- Neuropsychopharmacology Laboratory, Department of Anatomy, Howard University College of Medicine, Washington, DC, 20059, USA
| | - Jean Lud Cadet
- Molecular Neuropsychiatry Research Branch, NIH National Institute on Drug Abuse, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Jag Khalsa
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Tropical Medicine, George Washington University, School of Medicine, Washington, DC, USA
| | - David Baron
- Division of Addiction Research & Education, Center for Sports, Exercise, and Mental Health, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA, 91766, USA
| | - Diwanshu Soni
- Western University Health Sciences School of Medicine, Pomona, CA, USA
| | - Mark S Gold
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Thomas J McLaughlin
- Division of Reward Deficiency Clinics, TranspliceGen Therapeutics, Inc, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Debasis Bagchi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Texas Southern University College of Pharmacy, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Eric R Braverman
- Division of Clinical Neurology, The Kenneth Blum Institute of Neurogenetics & Behavior, LLC, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Mauro Ceccanti
- Alcohol Addiction Program, Latium Region Referral Center, Sapienza University of Rome, Roma, 00185, Italy
| | - Panayotis K Thanos
- Behavioral Neuropharmacology and Neuroimaging Laboratory on Addictions, Clinical Research Institute on Addictions, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biosciences, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, 14203, USA
- Department of Psychology, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, 14203, USA
| | | | - Keerthy Sunder
- Karma Doctors & Karma TMS, and Suder Foundation, Palm Springs, CA, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of California, Riverside School of Medicine, Riverside, CA, USA
| | - Nicole Jafari
- Department of Human Development, California State University at Long Beach, Long Beach, CA, USA
- Division of Personalized Medicine, Cross-Cultural Research and Educational Institute, San Clemente, CA, USA
| | - Foojan Zeine
- Awareness Integration Institute, San Clemente, CA, USA
- Department of Health Science, California State University at Long Beach, Long Beach, CA, USA
| | | | - Debmalya Barh
- Centre for Genomics and Applied Gene Technology, Institute of Integrative Omics and Applied Biotechnology (IIOAB), Purba Medinipur, WB, 721172, India
- Departamento de Genética, Ecologia e Evolução, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Milan Makale
- Department of Radiation Medicine and Applied Sciences, UC San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0819, USA
| | - Kevin T Murphy
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Kenneth Blum
- Department of Molecular Biology, Adelson School of Medicine, Ariel University, Ariel, 40700, Israel
- Division of Addiction Research & Education, Center for Sports, Exercise, and Mental Health, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA, 91766, USA
- Division of Reward Deficiency Clinics, TranspliceGen Therapeutics, Inc, Austin, TX, USA
- Division of Clinical Neurology, The Kenneth Blum Institute of Neurogenetics & Behavior, LLC, Austin, TX, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of California, Riverside School of Medicine, Riverside, CA, USA
- Division of Personalized Medicine, Cross-Cultural Research and Educational Institute, San Clemente, CA, USA
- Centre for Genomics and Applied Gene Technology, Institute of Integrative Omics and Applied Biotechnology (IIOAB), Purba Medinipur, WB, 721172, India
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Vermont School of Medicine, Burlington, VA, USA
- Institute of Psychology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Shima T, Jesmin S, Onishi H, Yoshikawa T, Saitoh R. Physical activity associates empathy in Japanese young adults with specific gene variations of oxytocin receptor and vasopressin V1B receptor. Physiol Behav 2022; 255:113930. [PMID: 35905808 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2022.113930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2022] [Revised: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 07/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Empathy, consisting of cognitive empathy and affective empathy, is essential for creating relationships with others. Since the genetic polymorphism of oxytocin receptor (OXTR) and arginine-vasopressin V1B receptor (AVPR1B) relate to prosocial behavior and empathy, it would need to innovate strategies for treating human empathy by considering individual genetic variations. Physical activity is expected as a possible strategy; here, we investigated the influences of genetic polymorphisms in OXTR SNP rs53576 and AVPR1B SNP rs28373064, on the relationships of self-reported empathy with physical activity. METHODS The saliva is collected from a hundred Japanese college students for determining the individual polymorphism of OXTR SNP rs53576 (AA, AG, or GG genotype) and AVPR1B SNP rs28373064 (TT, TC, or CC genotype). In addition, the participants' self-reported cognitive and affective empathy, amounts of physical activity, and sitting time were evaluated with questionaries. RESULTS The participants with OXTR SNP rs53576 GG genotype showed a significant negative correlation between sitting time and cognitive empathy adjusted by age, gender, and sports experience. Further, there was a trend to correlate between physical activity amounts and cognitive empathy in the participants carrying the G variant in OXTR SNP rs53576 (AG or GG). As for AVPR1B SNP rs28373064, the persons with TT genotype exhibited a negative correlation trend between sitting time and cognitive empathy. CONCLUSIONS There are possible correlations between the self-reported cognitive empathy and physical activity amounts in the persons carrying the G variant of OXTR rs53576 or with the TT genotype for AVPR1B SNP rs28373064.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Takeru Shima
- Department of Health and Physical Education, Cooperative Faculty of Education, Gunma University, 4-2 Aramaki-machi, Maebashi, Gunma 371-8510, Japan.
| | - Subrina Jesmin
- Faculty of Medicine, Toho University Graduate School of Medicine, 5-21-16 Omorinishi, Ota-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hayate Onishi
- Department of Health and Physical Education, Cooperative Faculty of Education, Gunma University, 4-2 Aramaki-machi, Maebashi, Gunma 371-8510, Japan
| | - Tomonori Yoshikawa
- Department of Health and Physical Education, Cooperative Faculty of Education, Gunma University, 4-2 Aramaki-machi, Maebashi, Gunma 371-8510, Japan
| | - Rikako Saitoh
- Department of Health and Physical Education, Cooperative Faculty of Education, Gunma University, 4-2 Aramaki-machi, Maebashi, Gunma 371-8510, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Martins D, Gabay AS, Mehta M, Paloyelis Y. Salivary and plasmatic oxytocin are not reliable trait markers of the physiology of the oxytocin system in humans. eLife 2020; 9:62456. [PMID: 33306025 PMCID: PMC7732341 DOI: 10.7554/elife.62456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2020] [Accepted: 12/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Single measurements of salivary and plasmatic oxytocin are used as indicators of the physiology of the oxytocin system. However, questions remain about whether they are sufficiently stable to provide valid trait markers of the physiology of the oxytocin system, and whether salivary oxytocin can accurately index its plasmatic concentrations. Using radioimmunoassay, we measured baseline plasmatic and/or salivary oxytocin from two independent datasets. We also administered exogenous oxytocin intravenously and intranasally in a triple dummy, within-subject, placebo-controlled design and compared baseline levels and the effects of routes of administration. Our findings question the use of single measurements of baseline oxytocin concentrations in saliva and plasma as valid trait markers of the physiology of the oxytocin system in humans. Salivary oxytocin is a weak surrogate for plasmatic oxytocin. The increases in salivary oxytocin observed after intranasal oxytocin most likely reflect unabsorbed peptide and should not be used to predict treatment effects.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Martins
- Department of Neuroimaging, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, Kings College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Anthony S Gabay
- Department of Neuroimaging, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, Kings College London, London, United Kingdom.,Centre for Human Brain Health, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Mitul Mehta
- Department of Neuroimaging, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, Kings College London, London, United Kingdom.,Centre for Human Brain Health, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Yannis Paloyelis
- Department of Neuroimaging, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, Kings College London, London, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|