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Weber S, Rey Álvarez LT, Ansede-Bermejo J, Cruz R, Del Real Á, Bühler J, Carracedo Á, Aybek S. The impact of genetic variations in the serotonergic system on symptom severity and clinical outcome in functional neurological disorders. J Psychosom Res 2024; 186:111909. [PMID: 39236646 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2024.111909] [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: 04/18/2024] [Revised: 08/28/2024] [Accepted: 08/28/2024] [Indexed: 09/07/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We studied gene-environment, as well as gene-gene interaction to elucidate their effects on symptom severity and predict clinical outcomes in functional neurological disorders (FND). METHODS Eighty-five patients with mixed FND were genotyped for ten single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) from seven different stress-related genes. We tested cross-sectionally the association between genotype and the symptomatology of FND (symptom severity assessed with the examiner-based clinical global impression score [CGI] and age of onset). Clinical outcome was assessed in 52 patients who participated in a follow-up clinical visit after eight months (following their individual therapies as usual). We tested longitudinally the association between genotype and clinical outcome in FND. We examined the contribution of each SNP and their interaction between them to FND symptomatology and outcome. RESULTS We identified a nominal association between tryptophan hydroxylase 1 (TPH1) rs1800532 and symptom severity (CGI1) in FND under a codominant model (T/T: ßT/T = 2.31, seT/T = 0.57; G/T: ßG/T = -0.18, seG/T = 0.29, P = 0.035), with minor allele (T) carriers presenting more severe symptoms. An association was identified between TPH1 and clinical outcome, suggesting that major allele (G) carriers were more likely to have an improved outcome under a codominant model (G/T: ORG/T = 0.18, CIG/T = [0.02-1.34]; T/T: ORT/T = 2.08, CIT/T = [0.30-14.53], P = 0.041). Our analyses suggested a significant gene-gene interaction for TPH2 (rs4570625) and OXTR (rs2254298) on symptom severity, and a significant gene-gene interaction for TPH1, TPH2 and BDNF (rs1491850) on clinical outcome. CONCLUSION FND might arise from a complex interplay between individual predisposing risk genes involved in the serotonergic pathway and their gene-gene interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha Weber
- Department of Neurology, Psychosomatic Medicine Unit, Inselspital Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland; University of Zurich, Psychiatric University Hospital Zurich, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, 8032 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Lucía Trinidad Rey Álvarez
- Department of Neurology, Psychosomatic Medicine Unit, Inselspital Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland; Faculty of Science and Medicine, University of Fribourg, 1700 Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Juan Ansede-Bermejo
- Centro Nacional de Genotipado (CEGEN), Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Raquel Cruz
- Centro Nacional de Genotipado (CEGEN), Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain; Centre for Biomedical Network Research on Rare Diseases (CIBERER), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago (IDIS), Santiago de Compostela, Spain; Centro Singular de Investigación en Medicina Molecular y Enfermedades Crónicas (CIMUS), Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Álvaro Del Real
- Medicine and Psychiatry Department, University of Cantabria, Santander, Spain
| | - Janine Bühler
- Department of Neurology, Psychosomatic Medicine Unit, Inselspital Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Ángel Carracedo
- Centro Nacional de Genotipado (CEGEN), Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain; Centre for Biomedical Network Research on Rare Diseases (CIBERER), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Centro Singular de Investigación en Medicina Molecular y Enfermedades Crónicas (CIMUS), Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain; Fundación Pública Galega de Medicina Xenómica, Sistema Galego de Saúde (SERGAS), Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Selma Aybek
- Department of Neurology, Psychosomatic Medicine Unit, Inselspital Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland; Faculty of Science and Medicine, University of Fribourg, 1700 Fribourg, Switzerland.
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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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Shen G, Yang S, Wu L, Chen Y, Hu Y, Zhou F, Wang W, Liu P, Wu F, Liu Y, Wang F, Chen L. The oxytocin receptor rs2254298 polymorphism and alcohol withdrawal symptoms: a gene-environment interaction in mood disorders. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1085429. [PMID: 37520225 PMCID: PMC10380931 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1085429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a common mental disorder characterized by repeated withdrawal episodes. Negative emotions during withdrawal are the primary factors affecting successful abstinence. Oxytocin is a critical modulator of emotions. OXTR, the oxytocin receptor, may also be a promising candidate for treating alcohol withdrawal symptoms. Previous studies indicated that people with different genotypes of OXTR rs2254298 were reported to suffer from more significant depressive or heightened anxiety symptoms when experiencing early adversity. The present study aims to explore the modulatory role of the polymorphism OXTR rs2254298 on mood disorders during alcohol withdrawal and to help researchers better understand and develop effective relapse prevention and interventions for alcohol use disorders. Methods We recruited 265 adult Chinese Han men with AUD. Anxiety and depressive symptoms were measured using the Self-Rating Anxiety Scale and Self-Rating Depression Scale. Alcohol dependence levels were measured using Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test. Genomic DNA extraction and genotyping from participants' peripheral blood samples. Result First, a multiple linear regression was used to set the alcohol dependence level, OXTR.rs2254298, interaction terms as the primary predictor variable, and depression or anxiety as an outcome; age and educational years were covariates. There was a significant interaction between OXTR rs2254298 and alcohol dependence level on anxiety (B = 0.23, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.01-0.45) but not on depression (B = -0.06, 95% CI: -0.30 - 0.18). The significance region test showed that alcohol-dependent men who are GG homozygous were more likely to experience anxiety symptoms than subjects with the A allele (A allele: β = 0.27, p < 0.001; GG homozygote: β = 0.50, p < 0.001). Finally, re-parameterized regression analysis demonstrated that this gene-environment interaction of OXTR rs2254298 and alcohol dependence on anxiety fits the weak differential susceptibility model (R2 = 0.17, F (5,259) = 13.46, p < 0.001). Conclusion This study reveals a gene-environment interactive effect between OXTR rs2254298 and alcohol withdrawal on anxiety but not depression. From the perspective of gene-environment interactions, this interaction fits the differential susceptibility model; OXTR rs2254298 GG homozygote carriers are susceptible to the environment and are likely to experience anxiety symptoms of alcohol withdrawal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guanghui Shen
- Wenzhou Seventh People’s Hospital, Wenzhou, China
- School of Mental Health, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Shizhuo Yang
- School of Pharmacy, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Liujun Wu
- School of Mental Health, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
- Applied Psychology (Ningbo) Research Center, Wenzhou Medical University, Ningbo, China
- Cixi Biomedical Research Institute, Wenzhou Medical University, Ningbo, China
| | - Yingjie Chen
- School of Pharmacy, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
- Cixi Biomedical Research Institute, Wenzhou Medical University, Ningbo, China
| | - Yueling Hu
- School of Mental Health, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Fan Zhou
- Department of Pediatrics, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Wei Wang
- School of Mental Health, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Peining Liu
- Department of Pediatrics, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Fenzan Wu
- School of Pharmacy, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
- Laboratory of Translational Medicine, Affiliated Cixi Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Ningbo, China
| | - Yanlong Liu
- School of Mental Health, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Fan Wang
- Beijing Hui-Long-Guan Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Psychosomatic Medicine, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, China
| | - Li Chen
- School of Mental Health, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, The Affiliated Wenzhou Kangning Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
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Kou J, Zhang Y, Zhou F, Sindermann C, Montag C, Becker B, Kendrick KM. A randomized trial shows dose-frequency and genotype may determine the therapeutic efficacy of intranasal oxytocin. Psychol Med 2022; 52:1959-1968. [PMID: 33272333 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291720003803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The neuropeptide oxytocin is proposed as a promising therapy for social dysfunction by modulating amygdala-mediated social-emotional behavior. Although clinical trials report some benefits of chronic treatment, it is unclear whether efficacy may be influenced by dose frequency or genotype. METHODS In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pharmaco-functional magnetic resonance imaging trial (150 male subjects), we investigated acute and different chronic (every day or on alternate days for 5 days) intranasal oxytocin (24 international units) effects and oxytocin receptor genotype-mediated treatment sensitivity on amygdala responses to face emotions. We also investigated similar effects on resting-state functional connectivity between the amygdala and prefrontal cortex. RESULTS A single dose of oxytocin-reduced amygdala responses to all face emotions but for threatening (fear and anger) and happy faces, this effect was abolished after daily doses for 5 days but maintained by doses given every other day. The latter dose regime also enhanced associated anxious-arousal attenuation for fear faces. Oxytocin effects on reducing amygdala responses to face emotions only occurred in AA homozygotes of rs53576 and A carriers of rs2254298. The effects of oxytocin on resting-state functional connectivity were not influenced by either dose-frequency or receptor genotype. CONCLUSIONS Infrequent chronic oxytocin administration may be therapeutically most efficient and its anxiolytic neural and behavioral actions are highly genotype-dependent in males.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Kou
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Laboratory for Neuroinformation, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 611731, China
| | - Yingying Zhang
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Laboratory for Neuroinformation, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 611731, China
| | - Feng Zhou
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Laboratory for Neuroinformation, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 611731, China
| | - Cornelia Sindermann
- Department of Molecular Psychology, Institute of Psychology and Education, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Christian Montag
- Department of Molecular Psychology, Institute of Psychology and Education, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Benjamin Becker
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Laboratory for Neuroinformation, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 611731, 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 611731, China
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The Interaction Effect of Parental Rejection and Oxytocin Receptor Gene Polymorphism on Depression: A Cross-Cultural Study in Non-Clinical Samples. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19095566. [PMID: 35564961 PMCID: PMC9105151 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19095566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Revised: 04/28/2022] [Accepted: 04/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022]
Abstract
Parental rejection has been consistently empirically implicated in a wide array of developmental, behavioural and psychological problems worldwide. However, the interaction effect between parental rejection in childhood and the oxytocin receptor genotype on psychological adjustment has yet to be investigated. The present study aimed to investigate gene–environment interaction effects between parental rejection (maternal and paternal) and oxytocin receptor (OXTR) gene polymorphisms (rs53576 and rs2254298) on depressive symptoms in adults in different cultural contexts. Adults from Italy and Japan (N = 133, age = 18–27 years, females = 68) were preliminarily genotyped and then completed the Parental Acceptance-Rejection Questionnaire for mothers and fathers and the Beck Depression Inventory. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis showed that paternal rejection was related to self-reported depression and that the effect of parental rejection was moderated by OXTR gene polymorphisms and nationality. Among Italians, OXTR rs2254298 A-carriers showed resilience to negative early parental care, whereas among Japanese, OXTR rs53576 non-A-carriers showed resistance to negative early paternal care. These findings align with expected relations between perceived acceptance–rejection and an individual’s psychological adjustment, as proposed by interpersonal acceptance–rejection theory, and indicate the need for future studies adopting a multicultural and multilevel approach to better understand how the effects of parental rejection extend into adulthood.
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Oxytocin receptor genotype moderates the association between maternal prenatal stress and infant early self-regulation. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2022; 138:105669. [PMID: 35063684 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2022.105669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2021] [Revised: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Maternal prenatal stress may have long-term adverse consequences for child development. Accumulating evidence shows that the oxytocin-receptor genotype may play a role in differential susceptibility to early-life adversity, but no studies have examined whether this moderation extends to the prenatal stress exposures. METHODS In the FinnBrain Birth Cohort Study, a sample of 1173 mother-child dyads were examined. We studied the possible moderating effect of the cumulative effect of infant oxytocin-receptor risk genotypes (rs53576GG and rs2254298A) in the association between maternal prenatal stress, and infant negative reactivity and emerging self-regulation at 6 months of age. RESULTS The number of OTr risk genotypes moderated the association between maternal prenatal anxiety and infant self-regulation, implying a cumulative effect of genotype, although effects sizes were small. In infants with two risk genotypes, a negative association between prenatal anxiety and self-regulation was observed, whereas in infants with one or no risk genotypes, the association between maternal prenatal anxiety and temperament was non-significant. CONCLUSION Oxytocin-receptor genotype may moderate the association of maternal stress during pregnancy and child social-emotional development. Possible mechanisms for this moderation effect are discussed. Further studies with a more comprehensive polygenic approach are needed to confirm these results.
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Ji L, Chen C, Hou B, Ren D, Yuan F, Liu L, Bi Y, Guo Z, Yang F, Wu X, Chen F, Li X, Liu C, Zuo Z, Zhang R, Yi Z, Xu Y, He L, Shi Y, Yu T, He G. Impact of OXTR Polymorphisms on Subjective Well-Being: The Intermediary Role of Attributional Style. Front Genet 2022; 12:763628. [PMID: 35222513 PMCID: PMC8864163 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.763628] [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: 08/24/2021] [Accepted: 12/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Polymorphisms in the oxytocin receptor (OXTR) gene are related to individual differences in negative emotions, such as depressive symptoms and anxiety. However, it remains unclear what the potential roles of OXTR polymorphisms are in subjective well-being (SWB), which is negatively correlated with depressive symptoms. We examined attributional styles as mediator between SWB and five polymorphisms of the oxytocin receptor gene (OXTR rs53576, rs2254298, rs1042778, rs2268494, and rs2268490) among 627 full-time college freshmen (Mage = 20.90, SD = 0.82 for male; Mage = 20.81, SD = 0.92 for female) using structural equation modeling. The results showed that individuals with the OXTR rs2254298 AA genotype and rs53576 AA/GA genotype reported higher scores on SWB, which suggested that individuals with this genotype experienced more happiness. Moreover, external attributional style partially mediated the association between OXTR rs2254298 polymorphism and SWB (β = 0.019, 95%CI [0.001, 0.036], p = 0.035). In conclusion, our findings demonstrated that the genetic variations of OXTR played a role in the individual differences of SWB, and external attribution style could mediate the association.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Ji
- Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Developmental and Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Ministry of Education, Bio-X Institutes, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai, China
| | | | - Binyin Hou
- Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Developmental and Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Ministry of Education, Bio-X Institutes, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Decheng Ren
- Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Developmental and Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Ministry of Education, Bio-X Institutes, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Fan Yuan
- Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Developmental and Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Ministry of Education, Bio-X Institutes, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Liangjie Liu
- Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Developmental and Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Ministry of Education, Bio-X Institutes, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Yan Bi
- Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Developmental and Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Ministry of Education, Bio-X Institutes, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhenming Guo
- Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Developmental and Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Ministry of Education, Bio-X Institutes, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Fengping Yang
- Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Developmental and Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Ministry of Education, Bio-X Institutes, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Xi Wu
- Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Developmental and Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Ministry of Education, Bio-X Institutes, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Fujun Chen
- Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Developmental and Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Ministry of Education, Bio-X Institutes, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Xingwang Li
- Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Developmental and Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Ministry of Education, Bio-X Institutes, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai, China
| | | | - Zhen Zuo
- Jining Medical University, Jining, China
| | - Rong Zhang
- Shanghai Center for Women and Children’s Health, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhenghui Yi
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Yifeng Xu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Lin He
- Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Developmental and Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Ministry of Education, Bio-X Institutes, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Yi Shi
- Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Developmental and Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Ministry of Education, Bio-X Institutes, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Yi Shi, ; Tao Yu, ; Guang He,
| | - Tao Yu
- Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Developmental and Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Ministry of Education, Bio-X Institutes, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Center for Women and Children’s Health, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Yi Shi, ; Tao Yu, ; Guang He,
| | - Guang He
- Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Developmental and Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Ministry of Education, Bio-X Institutes, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Yi Shi, ; Tao Yu, ; Guang He,
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The Associations of Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms with Risk and Symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome. J Pers Med 2022; 12:jpm12020142. [PMID: 35207633 PMCID: PMC8878682 DOI: 10.3390/jpm12020142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Revised: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Although several risk single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have been found to play an important role in etiology of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), the findings are inconsistent. A descriptive correlational design was used to analyze the baseline data of a randomized controlled trial including participants with IBS and healthy controls (HC). Pain severity and interference, anxiety, sleep, and fatigue were measured using the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) and patient-reported outcomes measurement information system (PROMIS). Fisher’s exact test and multivariate linear regression were used to investigate the associations between IBS risk alleles and IBS symptoms. Participants were predominantly female, white, and had an average age of 21.13 ± 2.42 years. Polymorphisms within TNFSF15 (rs4263839), SLC6A4 5-HTTLPR, HTR3A (rs1062613), and OXTR (rs2254298) were associated with IBS risk, and TNFSF15 (rs4263839), COMT (rs6269), SLC6A4 5-HTTLPR polymorphisms were associated with pain severity. TNFSF15 (rs4263839) and COMT (rs4680; rs4633) genotypes were associated with sleep disturbance, and the ADRA1D SNP rs1556832 was associated with fatigue in both IBS and HC groups. Genotypic differences were associated with IBS risk and symptoms including abdominal pain, sleep disturbance, and fatigue. Further investigation is warranted to reveal the mechanisms by which these genetic variations influence the dynamic nature of IBS symptoms over time.
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Takayanagi Y, Onaka T. Roles of Oxytocin in Stress Responses, Allostasis and Resilience. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 23:ijms23010150. [PMID: 35008574 PMCID: PMC8745417 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23010150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2021] [Revised: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 12/19/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Oxytocin has been revealed to work for anxiety suppression and anti-stress as well as for psychosocial behavior and reproductive functions. Oxytocin neurons are activated by various stressful stimuli. The oxytocin receptor is widely distributed within the brain, and oxytocin that is released or diffused affects behavioral and neuroendocrine stress responses. On the other hand, there has been an increasing number of reports on the role of oxytocin in allostasis and resilience. It has been shown that oxytocin maintains homeostasis, shifts the set point for adaptation to a changing environment (allostasis) and contributes to recovery from the shifted set point by inducing active coping responses to stressful stimuli (resilience). Recent studies have suggested that oxytocin is also involved in stress-related disorders, and it has been shown in clinical trials that oxytocin provides therapeutic benefits for patients diagnosed with stress-related disorders. This review includes the latest information on the role of oxytocin in stress responses and adaptation.
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Ramo-Fernández L, Gumpp AM, Boeck C, Krause S, Bach AM, Waller C, Kolassa IT, Karabatsiakis A. Associations between childhood maltreatment and DNA methylation of the oxytocin receptor gene in immune cells of mother-newborn dyads. Transl Psychiatry 2021; 11:449. [PMID: 34471100 PMCID: PMC8410844 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-021-01546-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2020] [Accepted: 07/29/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The neuropeptide oxytocin (OXT) and its receptor (OXTR) modulate interpersonal relationships, particularly mother-child interactions. DNA methylation (DNAm) changes of the OXTR gene were observed in individuals who experienced Childhood Maltreatment (CM). A modulatory role of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) within OXTR in association with CM on the regulation of OXTR was also postulated. Whether these CM-induced epigenetic alterations are biologically inherited by the offspring remains unknown. We thus investigated possible intergenerational effects of maternal CM exposure on DNAm and OXTR gene expression, additionally accounting for the possible influence of three SNP: rs53576 and rs2254298 (OXTR gene), and rs2740210 (OXT gene). We used the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire to classify mothers into individuals with (CM+) or without CM (CM-). Maternal peripheral immune cells were isolated from venous blood (N = 117) and fetal immune cells from the umbilical cord (N = 113) after parturition. DNA methylation was assessed using MassARRAY. Taqman assays were performed for genotyping and gene expression analyses. Among mothers, CM was not associated with OXTR mean methylation or gene expression. However, four CpG sites showed different methylation levels in CM- compared to CM+. In mothers, the OXTR rs53576 and OXT rs2740210 allelic variations interacted with CM load on the OXTR mean methylation. Maternal and newborns' mean methylation of OXTR were positively associated within CM- dyads, but not in CM+ dyads. We show gene×environment interactions on the epigenetic regulation of the oxytocinergic signaling and show the intergenerational comparability of the OXTR DNAm might be altered in infants of CM+ mothers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Ramo-Fernández
- Clinical & Biological Psychology, Institute of Psychology and Education, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany.
| | - Anja M. Gumpp
- grid.6582.90000 0004 1936 9748Clinical & Biological Psychology, Institute of Psychology and Education, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Christina Boeck
- grid.6582.90000 0004 1936 9748Clinical & Biological Psychology, Institute of Psychology and Education, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Sabrina Krause
- grid.410712.10000 0004 0473 882XPsychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Alexandra M. Bach
- grid.6582.90000 0004 1936 9748Clinical & Biological Psychology, Institute of Psychology and Education, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Christiane Waller
- grid.410712.10000 0004 0473 882XPsychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Ulm, Ulm, Germany ,Department of Psychosomatics and Psychotherapeutic Medicine, Paracelsus Medical Private University of Nueremberg, Nueremberg, Germany
| | - Iris-Tatjana Kolassa
- grid.6582.90000 0004 1936 9748Clinical & Biological Psychology, Institute of Psychology and Education, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Alexander Karabatsiakis
- Clinical & Biological Psychology, Institute of Psychology and Education, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany. .,Department of Clinical Psychology II, Institute of Psychology, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.
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11
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Zhang J, Yang C, Leng J, Liu J, Gong P, Esposito G. OXTR moderates adverse childhood experiences on depressive symptoms among incarcerated males. J Psychiatr Res 2021; 140:221-227. [PMID: 34118640 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2021.05.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Revised: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This study examined the moderation of an oxytocin receptor (OXTR) gene in the link between childhood adversity and depressive symptoms among incarcerated males. METHODS Questionnaires about adverse childhood experiences and depressive symptoms, as well as genomic DNA from blood were collected among 608 incarcerated males (Mage = 32.4 years, SD = 9.41, 18-74 years). Moderation analysis was applied to examine the interaction between adverse childhood experiences (including abuse, neglect, and household dysfunction) and the OXTR polymorphisms (rs2254298, rs53576) in predicting depressive symptoms. RESULTS Incarcerated males had relatively higher prevalence of childhood adversity (70.2%) and depressive symptoms (49.8%). Higher childhood adversity was associated with increased depressive symptoms, and the effect was more pronounced in the GG homozygotes of OXTR rs2254298 (b = 0.406, p < .001), as compared with the AA/AG carriers (b = 0.236, p < .001). By contrast, the OXTR rs53576 did not interact with childhood adversity in predicting depressive symptoms. CONCLUSIONS Chinese incarcerated males with the GG genotype of OXTR rs2254298 have higher vulnerability in the effect of childhood adversity on depressive symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jieting Zhang
- School of Psychology, Normal College, Shenzhen University, 3688 Nanhai Ave, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518060, China; Institution for Mental Health, Shenzhen University, 3688 Nanhai Ave, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518060, China; Institute of KEEP Collaborative Innovation, Shenzhen University, 3688 Nanhai Ave, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518060, China
| | - Cuimei Yang
- School of Psychology, Normal College, Shenzhen University, 3688 Nanhai Ave, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518060, China
| | - Junhui Leng
- School of Psychology, Normal College, Shenzhen University, 3688 Nanhai Ave, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518060, China
| | - Jinting Liu
- School of Psychology, Normal College, Shenzhen University, 3688 Nanhai Ave, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518060, China; Institute of KEEP Collaborative Innovation, Shenzhen University, 3688 Nanhai Ave, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518060, China.
| | - Pingyuan Gong
- Key Laboratory of Resource Biology and Biotechnology in Western China (Ministry of Education), Northwest University, Shaanxi, 710069, China.
| | - Gianluca Esposito
- Psychology Program, School of Social Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore; Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore; Department of Psychology and Cognitive Science, University of Trento, Rovereto, Italy
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12
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Associations between oxytocin and empathy in humans: A systematic literature review. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2021; 129:105268. [PMID: 34023733 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2021.105268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Revised: 04/19/2021] [Accepted: 05/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
This is a systematic review about the association between empathic behavior and oxytocin (OXT). Searches were conducted in the electronic databases PubMed, Web of Science, PsycINFO, SciELO, and LILACS using the search terms "oxytocin", "empathy", and "empathic". Forty-four studies were reviewed. Scarce findings point to a lack of association between baseline endogenous OXT levels and empathy traits, and for a trend towards a direct relationship between oxytocinergic reactivity and empathic functioning. The results showed that variations in empathy were related to polymorphisms in the OXT receptor gene, especially in rs53576, and that this relationship seems to mediated by individual, ethnic, and cultural characteristics. Most studies on the exogenous administration of OXT tested a single dose (24 IU) with positive effects mainly on the affective domain of empathy. At the neural level, findings were inconsistent. Taken together, the results of the studies reviewed support the existence of a relationship between OXT and empathy that is complex and multifaceted. Robust evidence is still needed to elucidate existing links. Future investigations could benefit from methodological improvements aimed at increasing the reproducibility and applicability of findings, as well as the systematic assessment of the effects of exogenous OXT considering dose and frequency of administration, genotyping, and hormonal availability at the peripheral and central levels. This should lead to significant progress in the understanding of the therapeutic possibilities of OXT in the domain of empathic behavior.
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13
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Xie S, Hu Y, Fang L, Chen S, Botchway BOA, Tan X, Fang M, Hu Z. The association of oxytocin with major depressive disorder: role of confounding effects of antidepressants. Rev Neurosci 2021; 33:59-77. [PMID: 33989469 DOI: 10.1515/revneuro-2020-0128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2020] [Accepted: 04/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Major depressive disorder is a genetic susceptible disease, and a psychiatric syndrome with a high rate of incidence and recurrence. Because of its complexity concerning etiology and pathogenesis, the cure rate of first-line antidepressants is low. In recent years, accumulative evidences revealed that oxytocin act as a physiological or pathological participant in a variety of complex neuropsychological activities, including major depressive disorder. Six electronic databases (Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, CNKI, and Wanfang) were employed for researching relevant publications. At last, 226 articles were extracted. The current review addresses the correlation of the oxytocin system and major depressive disorder. Besides, we summarize the mechanisms by which the oxytocin system exerts potential antidepressant effects, including regulating neuronal activity, influencing neuroplasticity and regeneration, altering neurotransmitter release, down regulating hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, anti-inflammatory, antioxidation, and genetic effects. Increasing evidence shows that oxytocin and its receptor gene may play a potential role in major depressive disorder. Future research should focus on the predictive ability of the oxytocin system as a biomarker, as well as its role in targeted prevention and early intervention of major depressive disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiyi Xie
- Obstetrics & Gynecology Department, Integrated Chinese and West Medicine Hospital Affiliated to Zhejiang Chinese Medicine University, 208 Huanchendong Road, 310003Hangzhou, China.,Clinical Medical College, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, 310053Hangzhou, China
| | - Yan Hu
- Clinical Medical College, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, 310053Hangzhou, China
| | - Li Fang
- Obstetrics & Gynecology Department, Integrated Chinese and West Medicine Hospital Affiliated to Zhejiang Chinese Medicine University, 208 Huanchendong Road, 310003Hangzhou, China
| | - Shijia Chen
- Institute of Neuroscience, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 310058Hangzhou, China
| | - Benson O A Botchway
- Institute of Neuroscience, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 310058Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoning Tan
- Institute of Neuroscience, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 310058Hangzhou, China
| | - Marong Fang
- Institute of Neuroscience, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 310058Hangzhou, China
| | - Zhiying Hu
- Obstetrics & Gynecology Department, Integrated Chinese and West Medicine Hospital Affiliated to Zhejiang Chinese Medicine University, 208 Huanchendong Road, 310003Hangzhou, China
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Lauby SC, Fleming AS, McGowan PO. Beyond maternal care: The effects of extra-maternal influences within the maternal environment on offspring neurodevelopment and later-life behavior. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2021; 127:492-501. [PMID: 33905789 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.04.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2021] [Revised: 04/08/2021] [Accepted: 04/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
The early-life maternal environment has a profound and persistent effect on offspring neuroendocrine function, neurotransmitter systems, and behavior. Studies using rodent models suggest that early-life maternal care can influence the 'developmental programming' of offspring in part through altered epigenetic regulation of specific genes. The exploration of epigenetic regulation of these genes as a biological mechanism has been important to our understanding of how animals adapt to their environments and how these developmental trajectories may be altered. However, other non-maternal factors have been shown to act directly, or to interact with maternal care, to influence later-life phenotype. Based on accumulating evidence, including our research, we discuss other important influences on the developmental programming of offspring. We highlight early-life variations in temperature exposure and offspring genotype x environment interactions as prominent examples. We conclude with recommendations for future investigations on how early-life maternal care and extra-maternal influences lead to persistent changes in the brain and behavior of the offspring throughout development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha C Lauby
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Toronto Scarborough Campus, Scarborough, ON, Canada; Department of Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Alison S Fleming
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Psychology, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, ON, Canada.
| | - Patrick O McGowan
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Toronto Scarborough Campus, Scarborough, ON, Canada; Department of Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
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15
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Womersley JS, Hemmings SMJ, Ziegler C, Gutridge A, Ahmed-Leitao F, Rosenstein D, Domschke K, Seedat S. Childhood emotional neglect and oxytocin receptor variants: Association with limbic brain volumes. World J Biol Psychiatry 2020; 21:513-528. [PMID: 30806136 DOI: 10.1080/15622975.2019.1584331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Objectives: Childhood emotional neglect (EN) is a predictor for the development of affective disorders. Oxytocin (OXT) may mediate the interplay between EN and changes in stress biological systems, brain development, and mental health outcomes. We investigated, in a cross-sectional study, the associations between EN, (epi)genetic variation in the OXT receptor (OXTR) gene, and amygdalar and hippocampal volumes, two brain regions implicated in emotional processing.Methods: We recruited 63 Caucasian South African adults (35 women) with and without social anxiety disorder. Childhood EN was assessed using the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire. rs53576 and rs2254298 genotypes, as well as methylation status, was determined using DNA purified from whole blood. Bilateral amygdalar and hippocampal volumes were determined by structural magnetic resonance imaging. The relationships between these variables were investigated using linear regression.Results: The interaction of the rs2254298 A risk allele and EN was nominally associated with reduced left hippocampal volume. The rs2254298 A risk allele was independently associated with reduced bilateral amygdalar volumes. We found no association between EN, OXTR methylation and amygdalar or hippocampal volumes. The rs53576 GG risk genotype was, however, associated with decreased OXTR methylation.Conclusions: The rs2254298 A allele may increase susceptibility to the structural brain effects of EN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacqueline Samantha Womersley
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Stellenbosch, Tygerberg, 7505, South Africa
| | - Sian Megan Joanna Hemmings
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Stellenbosch, Tygerberg, 7505, South Africa
| | - Christiane Ziegler
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 70104, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Ashley Gutridge
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Stellenbosch, Tygerberg, 7505, South Africa
| | - Fatima Ahmed-Leitao
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Stellenbosch, Tygerberg, 7505, South Africa
| | - David Rosenstein
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Stellenbosch, Tygerberg, 7505, South Africa
| | - Katharina Domschke
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 70104, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Soraya Seedat
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Stellenbosch, Tygerberg, 7505, South Africa
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16
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Zhang M, Liu N, Chen H, Zhang N. Oxytocin receptor gene, childhood maltreatment and borderline personality disorder features among male inmates in China. BMC Psychiatry 2020; 20:332. [PMID: 32580785 PMCID: PMC7315490 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-020-02710-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2019] [Accepted: 06/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is caused by a variety of biological and environmental factors. Accumulating evidence suggests that childhood maltreatment is a risk environmental factor in the development of BPD, but research on the genetic pathology of BPD is still in its early stages, and very little is known about the oxytocin receptor (OXTR) gene. The purpose of this study is to further explore the interactive effects between OXTR gene polymorphisms and childhood maltreatment on BPD risk. METHODS Among the 1804 Chinese Han male inmates, 765 inmates who had BPD or antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) or highly impulsive or violent crime were considered as high-risk inmates and included in this study. Childhood maltreatment, BPD, antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) and impulsivity were measured by self-reported questionnaires. Peripheral venous blood was collected for the genotype test. RESULTS Analyses revealed that the BP group (inmates with BPD features) had higher rs53576 AA genotype frequency and rs237987 AA genotype frequency than the non-BP group, while the statistical significances were lost after Bonferroni correction. Total childhood maltreatment score, emotional abuse and neglect could positively predict BPD risk. Among the high-risk samples, rs53576 GG genotype carriers had higher BPD scores at higher levels of physical abuse and sexual abuse and had lower BPD scores at lower levels of physical abuse and sexual abuse. CONCLUSIONS The findings suggest that the interaction between OXTR gene variations and childhood maltreatment is an important mechanism for the development of BPD. The moderating role of the OXTR gene provides evidence for gene plasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Zhang
- grid.260474.30000 0001 0089 5711School of Psychology, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210000 China ,grid.452645.40000 0004 1798 8369Medical Psychology Department, Nanjing Brain Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210000 China
| | - Na Liu
- Medical Psychology Department, Nanjing Brain Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210000, China.
| | - Haocheng Chen
- grid.260474.30000 0001 0089 5711School of Psychology, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210000 China ,grid.452645.40000 0004 1798 8369Medical Psychology Department, Nanjing Brain Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210000 China ,grid.89957.3a0000 0000 9255 8984The Forth School of Clinical Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210000 China
| | - Ning Zhang
- grid.452645.40000 0004 1798 8369Medical Psychology Department, Nanjing Brain Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210000 China
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Abstract
Resilience - a key topic in clinical science and practice - still lacks a clear conceptualization that integrates its evolutionary and human-specific features, refrains from exclusive focus on fear physiology, incorporates a developmental approach, and, most importantly, is not based on the negation (i.e., absence of symptoms following trauma). Building on the initial condition of mammals, whose brain matures in the context of the mother's body and caregiving behavior, we argue that systems and processes that participate in tuning the brain to the social ecology and adapting to its hardships mark the construct of resilience. These include the oxytocin system, the affiliative brain, and biobehavioral synchrony, all characterized by great flexibility across phylogenesis and ontogenesis. Three core features of resilience are outlined: plasticity, sociality and meaning. Mechanisms of sociality by which coordinated action supports diversity, endurance and adaptation are described across animal evolution. Humans' biobehavioral synchrony matures from maternal attuned behavior in the postpartum to adult-adult relationships of empathy, perspective-taking and intimacy, and extends from the mother-child relationship to other affiliative bonds throughout life, charting a fundamental trajectory in the development of resilience. Findings from three high-risk cohorts, each tapping a distinct disruption to maternal-infant bonding (prematurity, maternal depression, and early life stress/trauma), and followed from birth to adolescence/young adulthood, demonstrate how components of the neurobiology of affiliation confer resilience and uniquely shape the social brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruth Feldman
- Interdisciplinary CenterHerzliyaIsrael,Yale Child Study CenterUniversity of YaleNew HavenCTUSA
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18
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Crespi BJ. Evolutionary and genetic insights for clinical psychology. Clin Psychol Rev 2020; 78:101857. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cpr.2020.101857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2019] [Revised: 02/20/2020] [Accepted: 04/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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Malhi GS, Das P, Outhred T, Dobson-Stone C, Bell E, Gessler D, Bryant R, Mannie Z. Interactions of OXTR rs53576 and emotional trauma on hippocampal volumes and perceived social support in adolescent girls. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2020; 115:104635. [PMID: 32199286 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2020.104635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2019] [Accepted: 02/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Oxytocin (OXT) is a neuropeptide involved in social behaviour and is sensitive to environmental influences to alter individual vulnerability or resilience to stress resulting in both negative and positive outcomes. The effects of the OXT receptor (OXTR) single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs53576 on hippocampal and amygdala structure and functions in adults are differentially associated with susceptibility to adversity and social behaviours, but this evidence is lacking in healthy adolescents. Adolescence is a developmental period characterised by neurobiological and psychosocial changes resulting in higher susceptibility to mood disorders, particularly among girls. As the brain is highly plastic at this stage, to understand psychosocial and emotional development, clarity of the interactions between rs53576 and adversity on hippocampal and amygdala volumes and social behaviours is needed. In this study, we investigated the interactions between rs53576 and emotional trauma (ET) exposure on hippocampal and amygdala volumes of adolescent girls, and associations with parenting style, perceived social support and bullying behaviour. Based on an unbiased and corrected analytical approach, we found smaller left hippocampal volumes in higher (hET) compared to minimally (mET) exposed AA homozygotes, but no differences in G allele carriers nor in the amygdala. Within the mET AA group, larger volumes were associated with peer perceived social support, but in their hET counterparts, smaller volumes were associated with familial perceived social support. This evidence supports an important role for the hippocampus in social behaviours but extends current knowledge to suggest that hippocampal social behavioural features are contextually dependent on rs53576.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gin S Malhi
- The University of Sydney, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Northern Clinical School, Department of Psychiatry, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Academic Department of Psychiatry, Royal North Shore Hospital, Northern Sydney Local Health District, St Leonards, NSW, 2065, Australia; CADE Clinic, Royal North Shore Hospital, Northern Sydney Local Health District, St Leonards, NSW, 2065, Australia; ARCHI, Sydney Medical School Northern, The University of Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia.
| | - Pritha Das
- The University of Sydney, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Northern Clinical School, Department of Psychiatry, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Academic Department of Psychiatry, Royal North Shore Hospital, Northern Sydney Local Health District, St Leonards, NSW, 2065, Australia; CADE Clinic, Royal North Shore Hospital, Northern Sydney Local Health District, St Leonards, NSW, 2065, Australia; ARCHI, Sydney Medical School Northern, The University of Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
| | - Tim Outhred
- The University of Sydney, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Northern Clinical School, Department of Psychiatry, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Academic Department of Psychiatry, Royal North Shore Hospital, Northern Sydney Local Health District, St Leonards, NSW, 2065, Australia; CADE Clinic, Royal North Shore Hospital, Northern Sydney Local Health District, St Leonards, NSW, 2065, Australia; ARCHI, Sydney Medical School Northern, The University of Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
| | - Carol Dobson-Stone
- The University of Sydney, Brain and Mind Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health, NSW, Australia; School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales, NSW, Australia
| | - Erica Bell
- The University of Sydney, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Northern Clinical School, Department of Psychiatry, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Academic Department of Psychiatry, Royal North Shore Hospital, Northern Sydney Local Health District, St Leonards, NSW, 2065, Australia; CADE Clinic, Royal North Shore Hospital, Northern Sydney Local Health District, St Leonards, NSW, 2065, Australia
| | - Danielle Gessler
- The University of Sydney, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Northern Clinical School, Department of Psychiatry, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Academic Department of Psychiatry, Royal North Shore Hospital, Northern Sydney Local Health District, St Leonards, NSW, 2065, Australia; CADE Clinic, Royal North Shore Hospital, Northern Sydney Local Health District, St Leonards, NSW, 2065, Australia; ARCHI, Sydney Medical School Northern, The University of Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia; The University of Sydney, Brain and Mind Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health, NSW, Australia; School of Psychology, University of Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Richard Bryant
- School of Psychology, University of New South Wales, NSW, Australia
| | - Zola Mannie
- The University of Sydney, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Northern Clinical School, Department of Psychiatry, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Academic Department of Psychiatry, Royal North Shore Hospital, Northern Sydney Local Health District, St Leonards, NSW, 2065, Australia; CADE Clinic, Royal North Shore Hospital, Northern Sydney Local Health District, St Leonards, NSW, 2065, Australia; ARCHI, Sydney Medical School Northern, The University of Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia; NSW Health, Northern Sydney Local Health District, Royal North Shore Hospital, St Leonards, NSW, Australia
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Hirayama T, Hiraoka Y, Kitamura E, Miyazaki S, Horie K, Fukuda T, Hidema S, Koike M, Itakura A, Takeda S, Nishimori K. Oxytocin induced labor causes region and sex-specific transient oligodendrocyte cell death in neonatal mouse brain. J Obstet Gynaecol Res 2019; 46:66-78. [PMID: 31746074 DOI: 10.1111/jog.14149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2019] [Accepted: 10/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
AIM Previous reports showed associations between oxytocin induced labor and mental disorders in offspring. However, those reports are restricted in epidemiological analyses and its mechanism remains unclear. In this study, we hypothesized that induced labor directly causes brain damage in newborns and results in the development of mental disorders. Therefore we aimed to investigate this hypothesis with animal model. METHODS The animal model of induced labor was established by subcutaneous oxytocin administration to term-pregnant C57BL/6J mice. We investigated the neonatal brain damage with evaluating immediate early gene expression (c-Fos, c-Jun and JunB) by quantitative polymerase reaction and TdT-mediated dUTP nick end labeling staining. To investigate the injured brain cell types, we performed double-immunostaining with TdT-mediated dUTP nick end labeling staining and each brain component specific protein, such as Oligo2, NeuN, GFAP and Iba1. RESULTS Brain damage during induced labor led to cell death in specific brain regions, which are implicated in mental disorders, in only male offspring at P0. Furthermore, oligodendrocyte precursors were selectively vulnerable compared to the other cell types. This oligodendrocyte-specific impairment during the perinatal period led to an increased numbers of Olig2-positive cells at P5. Expression levels of oxytocin and Oxtr in the fetal brain were not affected by the oxytocin administered to mothers during induced labor. CONCLUSION Oligodendrocyte cell death in specific brain regions, which was unrelated to the oxytocin itself, was caused by induced labor in only male offspring. This may be an underlying mechanism explaining the human epidemiological data suggesting an association between induced labor and mental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takashi Hirayama
- Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Juntendo University Faculty of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yuichi Hiraoka
- Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan.,Laboratory for Molecular Neuroscience, Medical Research Institute, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Eri Kitamura
- Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan.,Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shinji Miyazaki
- Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Kengo Horie
- Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Tomokazu Fukuda
- Laboratory of Cell Engineering and Molecular Genetics, Iwate University Faculty of Science and Engineering, Morioka, Japan
| | - Shizu Hidema
- Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Masato Koike
- Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Atsuo Itakura
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Juntendo University Faculty of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Satoru Takeda
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Juntendo University Faculty of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
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A biocultural approach to psychiatric illnesses. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2019; 236:2923-2936. [PMID: 30721322 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-019-5178-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2018] [Accepted: 01/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE As a species, humans are vulnerable to numerous mental disorders, including depression and schizophrenia. This susceptibility may be due to the evolution of our large, complex brains, or perhaps because these illnesses counterintuitively confer some adaptive advantage. Additionally, cultural and biological factors may contribute to susceptibility and variation in mental illness experience and expression. Taking a holistic perspective could strengthen our understanding of these illnesses in diverse cultural contexts. OBJECTIVES This paper reviews some of these potential factors and contextualizes mental disorders within a biocultural framework. RESULTS There is growing evidence that suggests cultural norms may influence inflammation, neurotransmitters, and neurobiology, as well as the illness experience. Specific examples include variation in schizophrenia delusions between countries, differences in links between inflammation and emotion between the United States and Japan, and differences in brain activity between Caucasian and Asian participants indicating that cultural values may moderate cognitive processes related to social cognition and interoception. CONCLUSIONS Research agendas that are grounded in an appreciation of biocultural diversity as it relates to psychiatric illness represent key areas for truly interdisciplinary research that can result in culturally sensitive treatments and highlight possible biological variation affecting medical treatment.
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Savelieva K, Hintsanen M, Dobewall H, Jokela M, Pulkki-Råback L, Elovainio M, Seppälä I, Lehtimäki T, Raitakari O, Keltikangas-Järvinen L. The role of oxytocinergic genes in the intergenerational transmission of parent-child relationship qualities. Horm Behav 2019; 114:104540. [PMID: 31202819 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2019.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2018] [Revised: 06/03/2019] [Accepted: 06/12/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Parenting qualities are known to transmit across generations, but less is known about genetic processes that may modify how strongly parenting quality carries across generations. We examined in prospective data whether oxytocinergic genes of offspring moderate the intergenerational transmission of warm and accepting parent-child relationship qualities. The sample comprised 1167 Finnish parents (G2, 62% female) and their mothers (G1). At the study baseline, G1 mothers (Mage = 38) reported parent-child relationship qualities towards G2 children (age range 3-18). After 28-34 years, G2 offspring reported parent-child relationship qualities towards their own children using the same questionnaire. A cumulative genetic score was computed for G2 by summing up previously identified four alleles associated with non-optimal parenting or social impairments across OXTR (rs1042778, rs2254298, rs53576) and CD38 (rs3796863) genes. Results indicated no interaction effects of G2 cumulative genetic score on the transmission of parent-child relationship qualities. Among single polymorphisms in OXTR, the interaction effects of rs53576 and rs1042778 were found. G1 maternal emotional warmth was associated with higher G2 emotional warmth among G2 participants with the OXTR rs53576 AA/AG genotype, but not among those with the GG genotype. G1 maternal acceptance was associated with higher G2 acceptance among those G2 participants with the OXTR rs1042778 GG/GT genotype, but not among those with the TT genotype. Oxytocinergic genes may influence sensitivity to quality of parent-child relationship, although this needs replication in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kateryna Savelieva
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 20, 00014 Helsinki, Finland.
| | - Mirka Hintsanen
- Unit of Psychology, University of Oulu, P.O.Box 2000, Yliopistokatu 9, 90014 Oulu, Finland.
| | - Henrik Dobewall
- Faculty of Social Sciences, Health Sciences, University of Tampere, P.O. Box 100, 33014 Tampere, Finland.
| | - Markus Jokela
- Department of Psychology and Logopedics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 21, Haartmaninkatu 3, 00014 Helsinki, Finland.
| | - Laura Pulkki-Råback
- Department of Psychology and Logopedics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 21, Haartmaninkatu 3, 00014 Helsinki, Finland.
| | - Marko Elovainio
- Department of Psychology and Logopedics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 21, Haartmaninkatu 3, 00014 Helsinki, Finland.
| | - Ilkka Seppälä
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, Fimlab Laboratories, Arvo Ylpön katu 4, 33520 Tampere, Finland and Finnish Cardiovascular Research Center-Tampere, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Tampere, P.O Box 100, 33014 Tampere, Finland.
| | - Terho Lehtimäki
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, Fimlab Laboratories, Arvo Ylpön katu 4, 33520 Tampere, Finland and Finnish Cardiovascular Research Center-Tampere, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Tampere, P.O Box 100, 33014 Tampere, Finland.
| | - Olli Raitakari
- Research Centre of Applied and Preventive Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Turku, Kiinamyllynkatu 10, 20520 Turku, Finland; Department of Clinical Physiology and Nuclear Medicine, Turku University Hospital, Turku, Kiinamyllynkatu 10, 20520 Turku, Finland.
| | - Liisa Keltikangas-Järvinen
- Department of Psychology and Logopedics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 21, Haartmaninkatu 3, 00014 Helsinki, Finland.
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Reichl C, Kaess M, Fuchs A, Bertsch K, Bödeker K, Zietlow AL, Dittrich K, Hartmann AM, Rujescu D, Parzer P, Resch F, Bermpohl F, Herpertz SC, Brunner R. Childhood adversity and parenting behavior: the role of oxytocin receptor gene polymorphisms. J Neural Transm (Vienna) 2019; 126:777-787. [DOI: 10.1007/s00702-019-02009-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2018] [Accepted: 05/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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Oksman E, Rosenström T, Hintsanen M, Pulkki-Råback L, Viikari J, Lehtimäki T, Raitakari OT, Keltikangas-Järvinen L. A Longitudinal Multilevel Study of the "Social" Genotype and Diversity of the Phenotype. Front Psychol 2018; 9:2034. [PMID: 30405505 PMCID: PMC6207617 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2018.02034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2017] [Accepted: 10/03/2018] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Sociability and social domain-related behaviors have been associated with better well-being and endogenous oxytocin levels. Inspection of the literature, however, reveals that the effects between sociability and health outcomes, or between sociability and genotype, are often weak or inconsistent. In the field of personality psychology, the social phenotype is often measured by error-prone assessments based on different theoretical frameworks, which can partly explain the inconsistency of the previous findings. In this study, we evaluated the generalizability of “sociability” measures by partitioning the population variance in adulthood sociability using five indicators from three personality inventories and assessed in two to four follow-ups over a 15-year period (n = 1,573 participants, 28,323 person-observations; age range 20–50 years). Furthermore, we tested whether this variance partition would shed more light to the inconsistencies surrounding the “social” genotype, by using four genetic variants (rs1042778, rs2254298, rs53576, rs3796863) previously associated with a wide range of human social functions. Based on our results, trait (between-individual) variance explained 23% of the variance in overall sociability, differences between sociability indicators explained 41%, state (within-individual) variance explained 5% and measurement errors explained 32%. The genotype was associated only with the sociability indicator variance, suggesting it has specific effects on sentimentality and emotional sharing instead of reflecting general sociability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elli Oksman
- Department of Psychology and Logopedics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Tom Rosenström
- Department of Psychology and Logopedics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Mirka Hintsanen
- Department of Psychology and Logopedics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,Unit of Psychology, Faculty of Education, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Laura Pulkki-Råback
- Department of Psychology and Logopedics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jorma Viikari
- Departments of Clinical Physiology and Nuclear Medicine, Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland.,Division of Medicine, Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland.,Research Centre of Applied and Preventive Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland.,Department of Medicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Terho Lehtimäki
- Fimlab Laboratories and Finnish Cardiovascular Research Center-Tampere, Department of Clinical Chemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland
| | - Olli Tuomas Raitakari
- Departments of Clinical Physiology and Nuclear Medicine, Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland.,Research Centre of Applied and Preventive Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
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Cataldo I, Azhari A, Lepri B, Esposito G. Oxytocin receptors (OXTR) and early parental care: An interaction that modulates psychiatric disorders. RESEARCH IN DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES 2018; 82:27-38. [PMID: 29033100 DOI: 10.1016/j.ridd.2017.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2017] [Revised: 09/21/2017] [Accepted: 10/05/2017] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Oxytocin plays an important role in the modulation of social behavior in both typical and atypical contexts. Also, the quality of early parental care sets the foundation for long-term psychosocial development. Here, we review studies that investigated how oxytocin receptor (OXTR) interacts with early parental care experiences to influence the development of psychiatric disorders. Using Pubmed, Scopus and PsycInfo databases, we utilized the keyword "OXTR" before subsequently searching for specific OXTR single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), generating a list of 598 studies in total. The papers were catalogued in a database and filtered for gene-environment interaction, psychiatric disorders and involvement of parental care. In particular, rs53576 and rs2254298 were found to be significantly involved in gene-environment interactions that modulated risk for psychopathology and the following psychiatric disorders: disruptive behavior, depression, anxiety, eating disorder and borderline personality disorder. These results illustrate the importance of OXTR in mediating the impact of parental care on the emergence of psychopathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Cataldo
- Department of Psychology and Cognitive Science, University of Trento, Italy; Mobile and Social Computing Lab, Fondazione Bruno Kessler, Trento, Italy
| | - Atiqah Azhari
- Division of Psychology, School of Social Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
| | - Bruno Lepri
- Mobile and Social Computing Lab, Fondazione Bruno Kessler, Trento, Italy
| | - Gianluca Esposito
- Department of Psychology and Cognitive Science, University of Trento, Italy; Division of Psychology, School of Social Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.
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Sex-specific association of a common GNAS polymorphism with self-reported cognitive empathy in healthy volunteers. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0206114. [PMID: 30365517 PMCID: PMC6203261 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0206114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2017] [Accepted: 10/08/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In a recent study, we found associations of a common oxytocin receptor (OXTR) polymorphism with inter-individual differences in empathy, especially with emotional empathy in women. Many other studies found specific associations of oxytocin, arginine-vasopressin, serotonin and dopamine receptor gene polymorphisms with various aspects of trait empathy. As all these receptors belong to the guanine-binding protein (G protein) coupled receptor family, it is a reasonable assumption, that alterations in genes encoding G protein subunits also influence the signal transduction in empathy related circuits. However, to the best of our knowledge, these genomic variations have not yet been studied in genetic research on empathy. Methods Here, we analysed associations of a common polymorphism of the GNAS gene (C393T) in a previously characterized sample of 421 healthy blood donors (231 M, 190 F; age 18–74). The GNAS gene encodes the G protein adenylyl cyclase stimulator (Gαs) G protein subunit, which activates cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)-dependent pathways by stimulating the adenylyl cyclase. Cognitive and emotional aspects of dispositional empathy were tested using Davis’ Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI). Results In the complete sample, associations of C393T genotype with IRI empathy scores, including cognitive empathy (p = 0.055) and perspective taking (p = 0.057) scores did not reach a level of significance. None of the IRI scores was near to being significantly associated with C393T genotype for men alone. In females, however, genotype was significantly associated with cognitive empathy (r = -.204, p = 0.005) and perspective taking (r = -.209, p = 0.004), accounting for 4.2% and 4.4% of variability. The association of genotype with perspective taking remained significant after adjustment for multiple comparisons (p = 0.045). The 393C-allele, which had been identified as a risk factor in several medical conditions such as hypertension, obesity and diabetes, was associated with higher cognitive empathy compared to the T allele in our sample. Conclusions The results suggest a significant association of GNAS C393T genotypes with the cognitive empathic capacity of perspective taking. This association could only be found in female participants.
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Kim HW, Kang JI, An SK, Kim SJ. Oxytocin receptor gene variants are associated with emotion recognition and resilience, but not with false-belief reasoning performance in healthy young Korean volunteers. CNS Neurosci Ther 2018; 25:519-526. [PMID: 30311451 DOI: 10.1111/cns.13075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2018] [Revised: 09/14/2018] [Accepted: 09/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
AIMS A growing body of literature has indicated that oxytocin is associated with several domains of social cognition and behavior. Nevertheless, the effects of oxytocin receptor gene (OXTR) polymorphisms on social phenotypes remain unclear. Therefore, we aimed to explore the genetic influence of OXTR variants on social cognition (social perception and theory of mind) and resilience in healthy individuals. METHODS We examined the influence of 10 common OXTR variants on social cognitive abilities, including facial emotion recognition and theory of mind, and trait resilience in 264 unrelated, healthy participants. RESULTS We found a significant association between the A-C haplotype at rs237887-rs2268490 and facial affect recognition. In addition, the single marker rs2254298 was significantly associated with participants' scores on the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale. In contrast, variations in OXTR did not affect participants' performance on the false-belief reasoning task. CONCLUSIONS Single makers or haplotypes at OXTR may contribute to individual differences in facial emotion recognition and psychological resilience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hae Won Kim
- Department of Medical Education, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.,Institute of Behavioral Science in Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jee In Kang
- Institute of Behavioral Science in Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.,Department of Psychiatry, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Suk Kyoon An
- Institute of Behavioral Science in Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.,Department of Psychiatry, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Se Joo Kim
- Institute of Behavioral Science in Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.,Department of Psychiatry, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
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Schiele MA, Costa B, Abelli M, Martini C, Baldwin DS, Domschke K, Pini S. Oxytocin receptor gene variation, behavioural inhibition, and adult separation anxiety: Role in complicated grief. World J Biol Psychiatry 2018; 19:471-479. [PMID: 29353531 DOI: 10.1080/15622975.2018.1430374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Complicated grief (CG) following bereavement significantly increases the risk for mood and anxiety disorders. The severity of grief reactions may be interactively influenced by temperamental and psychological factors such as behavioural inhibition (BI) and separation anxiety (SA) as well as biological factors. Given its central role in attachment and stress processing, a genetic variant in the oxytocin receptor (OXTR) gene was thus investigated in order to elucidate the direction of association as well as its interaction with BI and SA in the moderation of CG severity. METHODS Ninety-three patients with mood and anxiety disorders were evaluated for CG by means of the Inventory of Complicated Grief (ICG), for BI using the Retrospective Self-Report of Inhibition (RSRI), and for symptoms of SA during adulthood using the Adult Separation Anxiety Scale (ASA-27). All patients were genotyped for OXTR rs2254298. RESULTS OXTR genotype interacted with BI and, on a trend-level, with adult SA, to increase CG. Specifically, higher levels on the RSRI and ASA-27 scales, respectively, were related to higher ICG scores in GG genotype carriers. CONCLUSIONS The present study for the first time suggests a gene-environment interaction effect of an OXTR gene variant with BI and possibly also symptoms of adult SA in the moderation of vulnerability for CG.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam A Schiele
- a Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Center -- University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine , University of Freiburg , Freiburg , Germany.,b Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Section of Psychiatry , University of Pisa , Pisa , Italy
| | - Barbara Costa
- c Department of Pharmacy , University of Pisa , Pisa , Italy
| | - Marianna Abelli
- b Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Section of Psychiatry , University of Pisa , Pisa , Italy
| | - Claudia Martini
- c Department of Pharmacy , University of Pisa , Pisa , Italy
| | - David S Baldwin
- d Clinical and Experimental Sciences , University of Southampton Faculty of Medicine , Southampton , UK.,e University Department of Psychiatry , University of Cape Town , Cape Town , South Africa
| | - Katharina Domschke
- a Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Center -- University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine , University of Freiburg , Freiburg , Germany
| | - Stefano Pini
- b Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Section of Psychiatry , University of Pisa , Pisa , Italy
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Pearce E, Wlodarski R, Machin A, Dunbar RIM. The Influence of Genetic Variation on Social Disposition, Romantic Relationships and Social Networks: a Replication Study. ADAPTIVE HUMAN BEHAVIOR AND PHYSIOLOGY 2018; 4:400-422. [PMID: 30393594 PMCID: PMC6190642 DOI: 10.1007/s40750-018-0101-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2018] [Revised: 08/02/2018] [Accepted: 08/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Sociality is underpinned by a variety of neurochemicals. We previously showed, in a large healthy Caucasian sample, that genes for different neurochemicals are typically associated with differing social domains (disposition, romantic relationships and networks). Here we seek to confirm the validity of these findings by asking whether they replicate in other population samples. METHODS We test for associations between the same 24 Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) and measures of sociality as previously, in two smaller independent samples: Caucasian individuals with histories of mental illness (subclinical sample) (N = 140), and non-Caucasian individuals (N = 66). We also combined the relevant SNPs and social measures into 18 distinct neurochemical/social domain categories to examine the distribution of significant associations across these. RESULTS In the subclinical Caucasian sample, we confirm previous associations between (i) specific oxytocin and dopamine receptor gene SNPs and sexual attitudes and behavior, and (ii) two SNPs associated with dopamine receptor 2 and feelings of inclusion in the local community. In the non-Caucasian sample, we replicate the previous association between an oxytocin receptor SNP and anxious attachment. More generally, chi-squared tests indicated that the distribution of significant associations for each neurochemical across the three social domains did not differ significantly between the original sample and either of the new samples, except for oxytocin in the non-Caucasian sample. CONCLUSIONS These results corroborate both the SNP-specific and broader neurochemical associations with particular facets of sociality in two new populations, thereby confirming the validity of the previous findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eiluned Pearce
- Social & Evolutionary Neuroscience Research Group, Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Anna Watts Building, Radcliffe Observatory, Woodstock Rd, Quarter, Oxford, OX2 6GG UK
| | - Rafael Wlodarski
- Social & Evolutionary Neuroscience Research Group, Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Anna Watts Building, Radcliffe Observatory, Woodstock Rd, Quarter, Oxford, OX2 6GG UK
| | - Anna Machin
- Social & Evolutionary Neuroscience Research Group, Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Anna Watts Building, Radcliffe Observatory, Woodstock Rd, Quarter, Oxford, OX2 6GG UK
| | - Robin I. M. Dunbar
- Social & Evolutionary Neuroscience Research Group, Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Anna Watts Building, Radcliffe Observatory, Woodstock Rd, Quarter, Oxford, OX2 6GG UK
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Dobewall H, Hakulinen C, Keltikangas-Järvinen L, Pulkki-Råback L, Seppälä I, Lehtimäki T, Raitakari OT, Hintsanen M. Oxytocin receptor gene (OXTR) variant rs1042778 moderates the influence of family environment on changes in perceived social support over time. J Affect Disord 2018; 235:480-488. [PMID: 29680729 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2018.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2017] [Revised: 03/02/2018] [Accepted: 04/02/2018] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lack of social support is an established risk factor across health outcomes, making it important to examine its family environmental and genetic determinants. METHODS In a 27-year follow-up of the Young Finns Study (N = 2341), we examined with a latent growth curve model whether genes involved in the oxytocin signaling pathway-namely, oxytocin receptor gene (OXTR) variants rs1042778, rs2254298, and rs53576-moderate the effect of early-life social experiences on perceived social support across the life span. Mothers reported the emotional warmth and acceptance towards their children at baseline when the participants were from 3 to 18 years old (1980). Perceived family support and support from friends and peripheral sources were assessed in five follow-ups 18 years apart (1989-2007). RESULTS Maternal emotional warmth and acceptance predicted the initial level of perceived social support across subscales, while the rate of change in family support was affected by the family environment only if participants carried the T-allele of OXTR rs1042778. This gene-environment interaction was not found for the rate of change in support from friends and peripheral sources and we also did not find associations between latent growth in perceived social support and OXTR variants rs53576 and rs2254298. LIMITATIONS Selective attrition in perceived social support, maternal emotional warmth and acceptance, gender, and SES. Family environment was assessed by a non-standardized measure. CONCLUSIONS OXTR rs1042778 polymorphism seems to contribute to changes in perceived family support in that way that some individuals (T-allele carriers) 'recover', to some extent, from the effects of early-life social experiences, whereas others (G/G genotype carriers) do not.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henrik Dobewall
- Department of Psychology and Logopedics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland; Faculty of Social Sciences, Health Sciences, University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland
| | - Christian Hakulinen
- Department of Psychology and Logopedics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | | | - Laura Pulkki-Råback
- Department of Psychology and Logopedics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland; Helsinki Collegium for Advanced Studies, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Ilkka Seppälä
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, Fimlab Laboratories, Finnish Cardiovascular Research Center-Tampere, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Tampere, Finland
| | - Terho Lehtimäki
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, Fimlab Laboratories, Finnish Cardiovascular Research Center-Tampere, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Tampere, Finland
| | - Olli T Raitakari
- Research Collegium for Applied and Preventive Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Mirka Hintsanen
- Research Unit of Psychology, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland; Department of Psychology and Logopedics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
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Jiménez JP, Botto A, Herrera L, Leighton C, Rossi JL, Quevedo Y, Silva JR, Martínez F, Assar R, Salazar LA, Ortiz M, Ríos U, Barros P, Jaramillo K, Luyten P. Psychotherapy and Genetic Neuroscience: An Emerging Dialog. Front Genet 2018; 9:257. [PMID: 30065751 PMCID: PMC6056612 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2018.00257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2018] [Accepted: 06/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent research in psychiatric genetics has led to a move away from simple diathesis-stress models to more complex models of psychopathology incorporating a focus on gene–environment interactions and epigenetics. Our increased understanding of the way biology encodes the impact of life events on organisms has also generated more sophisticated theoretical models concerning the molecular processes at the interface between “nature” and “nurture.” There is also increasing consensus that psychotherapy entails a specific type of learning in the context of an emotional relationship (i.e., the therapeutic relationship) that may also lead to epigenetic modifications across different therapeutic treatment modalities. This paper provides a systematic review of this emerging body of research. It is concluded that, although the evidence is still limited at this stage, extant research does indeed suggest that psychotherapy may be associated with epigenetic changes. Furthermore, it is argued that epigenetic studies may play a key role in the identification of biomarkers implicated in vulnerability for psychopathology, and thus may improve diagnosis and open up future research opportunities regarding the mechanism of action of psychotropic drugs as well as psychotherapy. We review evidence suggesting there may be important individual differences in susceptibility to environmental input, including psychotherapy. In addition, given that there is increasing evidence for the transgenerational transmission of epigenetic modifications in animals and humans exposed to trauma and adversity, epigenetic changes produced by psychotherapy may also potentially be passed on to the next generation, which opens up new perspective for prevention science. We conclude this paper stressing the limitations of current research and by proposing a set of recommendations for future research in this area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan P Jiménez
- Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health - East, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Alberto Botto
- Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health - East, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Luisa Herrera
- Human Genetics Program, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Caroline Leighton
- Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health - East, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - José L Rossi
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Yamil Quevedo
- Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health - East, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Jaime R Silva
- Center for Attachment and Emotional Regulation (CARE), Faculty of Psychology, Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago, Chile
| | - Felipe Martínez
- Center for Intercultural and Indigenous Research, Anthropology Program, Institute of Sociology, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Rodrigo Assar
- ICBM Human Genetics Program, Centre for Medical Informatics and Telemedicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Luis A Salazar
- Center of Molecular Biology and Pharmacogenetics, Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco, Chile
| | - Manuel Ortiz
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Education, Social Sciences and Humanities, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco, Chile
| | - Ulises Ríos
- Department of Psychiatry, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
| | - Paulina Barros
- Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health - East, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Karina Jaramillo
- Ph.D. Program in Public Health, School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Patrick Luyten
- Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Research Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
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Cataldo I, Azhari A, Esposito G. A Review of Oxytocin and Arginine-Vasopressin Receptors and Their Modulation of Autism Spectrum Disorder. Front Mol Neurosci 2018; 11:27. [PMID: 29487501 PMCID: PMC5816822 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2018.00027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2017] [Accepted: 01/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Oxytocin (OXT) and arginine-vasopressin (AVP) play a key regulatory part in social and affiliative behaviors; two aspects highly compromised in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Furthermore, variants in the adjacent oxytocin-vasopressin gene regions have been found to be associated with ASD diagnosis and endophenotypes. This review focuses mainly on common OXTr single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), AVPR1a microsatellites and AVPR1b polymorphisms in relation to the development of autism. Although these genes did not surface in genome-wide association studies, evidence supports the hypothesis that these receptors and their polymorphisms are widely involved in the regulation of social behavior, and in modulating neural and physiological pathways contributing to the etiology of ASD. With a specific focus on variants considered to be among the most prevalent in the development of ASD, these issues will be discussed in-depth and suggestions to approach inconsistencies in the present literature will be provided. Translational implications and future directions are deliberated from a short-term and a forward-looking perspective. While the scientific community has made significant progress in enhancing our understanding of ASD, more research is required for the ontology of this disorder to be fully elucidated. By supplementing information related to genetics, highlighting the differences across male and female sexes, this review provides a wider view of the current state of knowledge of OXTr and AVPr mechanisms of functioning, eventually addressing future research in the identification of further risk factors, to build new strategies for early interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Cataldo
- Department of Psychology and Cognitive Science, University of Trento, Rovereto, Italy.,Mobile and Social Computing Lab, Fondazione Bruno Kessler, Trento, Italy
| | - Atiqah Azhari
- Division of Psychology, School of Social Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Gianluca Esposito
- Department of Psychology and Cognitive Science, University of Trento, Rovereto, Italy.,Division of Psychology, School of Social Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
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Fullerton JM, Klauser P, Lenroot RK, Shaw AD, Overs B, Heath A, Cairns MJ, Atkins J, Scott R, Schofield PR, Weickert CS, Pantelis C, Fornito A, Whitford TJ, Weickert TW, Zalesky A. Differential effect of disease-associated ST8SIA2 haplotype on cerebral white matter diffusion properties in schizophrenia and healthy controls. Transl Psychiatry 2018; 8:21. [PMID: 29353880 PMCID: PMC5802561 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-017-0052-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2017] [Accepted: 09/23/2017] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Brain white matter abnormalities are evident in individuals with schizophrenia, and also their first-degree relatives, suggesting that some alterations may relate to underlying genetic risk. The ST8 alpha-N-acetyl-neuraminide alpha-2,8-sialyltransferase 2 (ST8SIA2) gene, which encodes the alpha-2,8-sialyltransferase 8B enzyme that aids neuronal migration and synaptic plasticity, was previously implicated as a schizophrenia susceptibility gene. This study examined the extent to which specific haplotypes in ST8SIA2 influence white matter microstructure using diffusion-weighted imaging of individuals with schizophrenia (n = 281) and healthy controls (n = 172), recruited across five Australian sites. Interactions between diagnostic status and the number of haplotype copies (0 or ≥1) were tested across all white matter voxels with cluster-based statistics. Fractional anisotropy (FA) in the right parietal lobe was found to show a significant interaction between diagnosis and ST8SIA2 protective haplotype (p < 0.05, family-wise error rate (FWER) cluster-corrected). The protective haplotype was associated with increased FA in controls, but this effect was reversed in people with schizophrenia. White matter fiber tracking revealed that the region-of-interest was traversed by portions of the superior longitudinal fasciculus, corona radiata, and posterior limb of internal capsule. Post hoc analysis revealed that reduced FA in this regional juncture correlated with reduced IQ in people with schizophrenia. The ST8SIA2 risk haplotype copy number did not show any differential effects on white matter. This study provides a link between a common disease-associated haplotype and specific changes in white matter microstructure, which may relate to resilience or risk for mental illness, providing further compelling evidence for involvement of ST8SIA2 in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janice M. Fullerton
- 0000 0000 8900 8842grid.250407.4Neuroscience Research Australia, Randwick, Sydney, NSW Australia ,0000 0004 4902 0432grid.1005.4School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW Australia ,0000 0000 8696 2171grid.419558.4Schizophrenia Research Institute, Sydney, NSW Australia
| | - Paul Klauser
- 0000 0004 1936 7857grid.1002.3Brain and Mental Health Laboratory, Monash Institute of Cognitive and Clinical Neurosciences, School of Psychological Sciences and Monash Biomedical Imaging, Monash University, Clayton, VIC Australia ,0000 0001 2179 088Xgrid.1008.9Melbourne Neuropsychiatry Centre, The University of Melbourne and Melbourne Health, Carlton South, VIC Australia
| | - Rhoshel K. Lenroot
- 0000 0000 8900 8842grid.250407.4Neuroscience Research Australia, Randwick, Sydney, NSW Australia ,0000 0000 8696 2171grid.419558.4Schizophrenia Research Institute, Sydney, NSW Australia ,0000 0004 4902 0432grid.1005.4School of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW Australia
| | - Alex D. Shaw
- 0000 0000 8900 8842grid.250407.4Neuroscience Research Australia, Randwick, Sydney, NSW Australia ,0000 0000 8696 2171grid.419558.4Schizophrenia Research Institute, Sydney, NSW Australia
| | - Bronwyn Overs
- 0000 0000 8900 8842grid.250407.4Neuroscience Research Australia, Randwick, Sydney, NSW Australia
| | - Anna Heath
- 0000 0000 8900 8842grid.250407.4Neuroscience Research Australia, Randwick, Sydney, NSW Australia
| | - Murray J. Cairns
- 0000 0000 8696 2171grid.419558.4Schizophrenia Research Institute, Sydney, NSW Australia ,0000 0000 8831 109Xgrid.266842.cSchool of Biomedical Sciences, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW Australia
| | - Joshua Atkins
- 0000 0000 8831 109Xgrid.266842.cSchool of Biomedical Sciences, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW Australia
| | - Rodney Scott
- 0000 0000 8696 2171grid.419558.4Schizophrenia Research Institute, Sydney, NSW Australia ,0000 0000 8831 109Xgrid.266842.cSchool of Biomedical Sciences, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW Australia
| | | | - Peter R. Schofield
- 0000 0000 8900 8842grid.250407.4Neuroscience Research Australia, Randwick, Sydney, NSW Australia ,0000 0004 4902 0432grid.1005.4School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW Australia ,0000 0000 8696 2171grid.419558.4Schizophrenia Research Institute, Sydney, NSW Australia
| | - Cyndi Shannon Weickert
- 0000 0000 8900 8842grid.250407.4Neuroscience Research Australia, Randwick, Sydney, NSW Australia ,0000 0000 8696 2171grid.419558.4Schizophrenia Research Institute, Sydney, NSW Australia ,0000 0004 4902 0432grid.1005.4School of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW Australia
| | - Christos Pantelis
- 0000 0001 2179 088Xgrid.1008.9Melbourne Neuropsychiatry Centre, The University of Melbourne and Melbourne Health, Carlton South, VIC Australia
| | - Alex Fornito
- 0000 0004 1936 7857grid.1002.3Brain and Mental Health Laboratory, Monash Institute of Cognitive and Clinical Neurosciences, School of Psychological Sciences and Monash Biomedical Imaging, Monash University, Clayton, VIC Australia
| | - Thomas J. Whitford
- 0000 0004 4902 0432grid.1005.4School of Psychology, Faculty of Science, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW Australia
| | - Thomas W. Weickert
- 0000 0000 8900 8842grid.250407.4Neuroscience Research Australia, Randwick, Sydney, NSW Australia ,0000 0000 8696 2171grid.419558.4Schizophrenia Research Institute, Sydney, NSW Australia ,0000 0004 4902 0432grid.1005.4School of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW Australia
| | - Andrew Zalesky
- 0000 0001 2179 088Xgrid.1008.9Melbourne Neuropsychiatry Centre, The University of Melbourne and Melbourne Health, Carlton South, VIC Australia
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Flasbeck V, Moser D, Kumsta R, Brüne M. The OXTR Single-Nucleotide Polymorphism rs53576 Moderates the Impact of Childhood Maltreatment on Empathy for Social Pain in Female Participants: Evidence for Differential Susceptibility. Front Psychiatry 2018; 9:359. [PMID: 30135663 PMCID: PMC6092568 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2018.00359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2018] [Accepted: 07/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous research has associated genetic variations of the oxytocin receptor with individual differences in human social behavior. Specifically, homozygous carriers of the G-allele of the single nucleotide polymorphism rs53576 have been reported to display more trust, empathy, and prosocial behavior and were less sensitive toward stress and maltreatment during childhood when compared to A-allele carriers. With regard to Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), a psychiatric condition that is often associated with the experience of childhood adversity, it has been suggested that A-allele carriers are more vulnerable to developing psychopathological signs and symptoms. In the present study we investigated whether childhood trauma, as assessed by the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ), affects empathy for somatic and psychological pain, and how this is moderated by genotype, in a sample of 302 individuals (148 of whom were diagnosed with BPD). We found a three-way interaction between genotype, group and pain condition. Posthoc comparisons revealed that patients with BPD carrying at least one A-allele, rated psychological pain as more intense compared to controls, whereas no difference between groups emerged in GG homozygotes. Moreover, a moderating effect of genotype appeared on the impact of childhood trauma on empathy for psychological pain. In addition, a positive correlation of CTQ scores and empathy appeared only in A-allele carriers (GA + AA), independent of diagnosis. Together, A-allele carriers, especially those with BPD, seemed to be responsive to the impact of adversity on empathy-for-pain, while GG homozygotes were not, which is compatible with the idea of differential susceptibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vera Flasbeck
- Division of Cognitive Neuropsychiatry and Psychiatric Preventive Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Preventive Medicine, LWL University Hospital, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Dirk Moser
- Department of Genetic Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Robert Kumsta
- Department of Genetic Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Martin Brüne
- Division of Cognitive Neuropsychiatry and Psychiatric Preventive Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Preventive Medicine, LWL University Hospital, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
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Kang JI, Kim HW, Kim CH, Hwang EH, Kim SJ. Oxytocin receptor gene polymorphisms exert a modulating effect on the onset age in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2017; 86:45-52. [PMID: 28915380 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2017.09.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2017] [Revised: 08/23/2017] [Accepted: 09/06/2017] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
The oxytocin receptor (OXTR) is a potential candidate in the pathophysiology of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The present study investigated the association between common single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs) of the OXTR gene and the affected status of OCD or distinct clinical subtypes of OCD including the age at onset and symptom dimensions. Ten SNPs of OXTR were examined in 615 patients with OCD and 581 healthy controls. Single-marker and haplotype-based association analyses were conducted. While OXTR variants were not associated with the affected status of OCD or its clinical symptom dimensions, rs2268493 (p=0.00185) and rs13316193 (p=0.00461) of the OXTR gene were associated with the age at onset in patients with OCD. In addition, in haplotype-based association analyses, there was a significant association between the OXTR gene and the onset age in patients with OCD. In particular, the G-C-G haplotype of rs2268493-rs2254298-rs11316193 and the T-G-A haplotype of rs237887-rs2268490-rs4686301 were positively associated with late-onset OCD. Our results suggest that common variants of OXTR may exert a modulating effect on the onset age in OCD pathophysiology. The potential involvement of the oxytocin system in the development and expression of OCD warrants further longitudinal research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jee In Kang
- Department of Psychiatry, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Institute of Behavioral Science in Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hae Won Kim
- Institute of Behavioral Science in Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Department of Medical Education, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Chul Hoon Kim
- Department of Pharmacology, BK21 PLUS Project for Medical Science, Brain Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Eun Hee Hwang
- Institute of Behavioral Science in Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Se Joo Kim
- Department of Psychiatry, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Institute of Behavioral Science in Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
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Watanabe T, Otowa T, Abe O, Kuwabara H, Aoki Y, Natsubori T, Takao H, Kakiuchi C, Kondo K, Ikeda M, Iwata N, Kasai K, Sasaki T, Yamasue H. Oxytocin receptor gene variations predict neural and behavioral response to oxytocin in autism. Soc Cogn Affect Neurosci 2017; 12:496-506. [PMID: 27798253 PMCID: PMC5390696 DOI: 10.1093/scan/nsw150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2016] [Accepted: 10/04/2016] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Oxytocin appears beneficial for autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and more than 20 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in oxytocin receptor (OXTR) are relevant to ASD. However, neither biological functions of OXTR SNPs in ASD nor critical OXTR SNPs that determine oxytocin’s effects on ASD remains known. Here, using a machine-learning algorithm that was designed to evaluate collective effects of multiple SNPs and automatically identify most informative SNPs, we examined relationships between 27 representative OXTR SNPs and six types of behavioral/neural response to oxytocin in ASD individuals. The oxytocin effects were extracted from our previous placebo-controlled within-participant clinical trial administering single-dose intranasal oxytocin to 38 high-functioning adult Japanese ASD males. Consequently, we identified six different SNP sets that could accurately predict the six different oxytocin efficacies, and confirmed the robustness of these SNP selections against variations of the datasets and analysis parameters. Moreover, major alleles of several prominent OXTR SNPs—including rs53576 and rs2254298—were found to have dissociable effects on the oxytocin efficacies. These findings suggest biological functions of the OXTR SNP variants on autistic oxytocin responses, and implied that clinical oxytocin efficacy may be genetically predicted before its actual administration, which would contribute to establishment of future precision medicines for ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takamitsu Watanabe
- Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, University College London, 17 Queen Square, London WC1N 3AZ, UK
| | - Takeshi Otowa
- Department of Neuropsychiatry Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8655, Japan
| | - Osamu Abe
- Department of Radiology, Nihon University School of Medicine, 30-1 Oyaguchikami-cho, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo 173-8610, Japan
| | | | - Yuta Aoki
- Department of Neuropsychiatry Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8655, Japan
| | - Tatsunobu Natsubori
- Department of Neuropsychiatry Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8655, Japan
| | - Hidemasa Takao
- Department of Radiology Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8655, Japan
| | - Chihiro Kakiuchi
- Department of Neuropsychiatry Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8655, Japan
| | - Kenji Kondo
- Department of Psychiatry Fujita Health University School of Medicine, Aichi 470-1192, Japan
| | - Masashi Ikeda
- Department of Psychiatry Fujita Health University School of Medicine, Aichi 470-1192, Japan
| | - Nakao Iwata
- Department of Psychiatry Fujita Health University School of Medicine, Aichi 470-1192, Japan
| | - Kiyoto Kasai
- Department of Neuropsychiatry Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8655, Japan
| | - Tsukasa Sasaki
- Department of Physical and Health Education Graduate School of Education, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8655, Japan
| | - Hidenori Yamasue
- Department of Neuropsychiatry Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8655, Japan.,Department of Psychiatry Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, 1-20-1 Handayama, Higashiku, Hamamatsu City 431-3192, Japan
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37
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Massey SH, Decety J, Wisner KL, Wakschlag LS. Specification of Change Mechanisms in Pregnant Smokers for Malleable Target Identification: A Novel Approach to a Tenacious Public Health Problem. Front Public Health 2017; 5:239. [PMID: 28975128 PMCID: PMC5610685 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2017.00239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2017] [Accepted: 08/23/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Maternal smoking during pregnancy (MSDP) continues to be a leading modifiable risk factor for perinatal complications and a range of neurodevelopmental and cardio-metabolic outcomes across the lifespan. Despite 40 years of intervention research less than one in five pregnant smokers who receive an intervention quit by delivery. Within this context, recognition of pregnancy is commonly associated with abrupt suspension or reduction of smoking in the absence of intervention, yet has not been investigated as a volitional target. The goal of this article is to provide the empirical foundation for a novel direction of research aimed at identifying malleable targets for intervention through the specification of behavior change mechanisms specific to pregnant women. To do so, we: (1) summarize progress on MSDP in the United States generated from conventional empirical approaches to health behavior change; (2) discuss the phenomenon of spontaneous change in the absence of intervention among pregnant smokers to illustrate the need for mechanistic specification of behavior change motivated by concern for fetal well-being; (3) summarize component processes in neurobiological models of parental and non-parental social behaviors as a conceptual framework for understanding change mechanisms during pregnancy; (4) discuss the evidence for the malleability of these processes to support their translational relevance for preventive interventions; and (5) propose a roadmap for validating the proposed change mechanism using an experimental medicine approach. A greater understanding of social and interpersonal processes that facilitate health behavior change among expectant mothers and how these processes differ interindividually could yield novel volitional targets for prenatal interventions. More broadly, explicating other-oriented mechanisms of behavior change during pregnancy could serve as a paradigm for understanding how social and interpersonal processes positively influence health behaviors across the lifespan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suena H. Massey
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, United States
- Institute for Innovations in Developmental Sciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, United States
| | - Jean Decety
- Department of Psychology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Katherine L. Wisner
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Lauren S. Wakschlag
- Institute for Innovations in Developmental Sciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, United States
- Department of Medical Social Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, United States
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Tollenaar MS, Molendijk ML, Penninx BWJH, Milaneschi Y, Antypa N. The association of childhood maltreatment with depression and anxiety is not moderated by the oxytocin receptor gene. Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 2017; 267:517-526. [PMID: 28353027 PMCID: PMC5561157 DOI: 10.1007/s00406-017-0784-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2016] [Accepted: 03/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The oxytocin receptor (OXTR) gene may be involved in resilience or vulnerability towards stress, and hence in the development of stress-related disorders. There are indications that OXTR single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) interact with early life stressors in predicting levels of depression and anxiety. To replicate and extend these findings, we examined whether three literature-based OXTR SNPs (rs2254298, rs53576, rs2268498) interact with childhood maltreatment in the development of clinically diagnosed depression and anxiety disorders. METHODS We included 2567 individuals from the Netherlands Study of Depression and Anxiety. This sample consisted of 387 healthy controls, 428 people with a current or past depressive disorder, 243 people with a current or past anxiety disorder, and 1509 people with both lifetime depression and anxiety diagnoses. Childhood maltreatment was measured with both an interview and via self-report. Additional questionnaires measured depression and anxiety sensitivity. RESULTS Childhood maltreatment was strongly associated with both lifetime depression and anxiety diagnoses, as well as with depression and anxiety sensitivity. However, the OXTR SNPs did not moderate these associations nor had main effects on outcomes. CONCLUSIONS The three OXTR gene SNPs did not interact with childhood maltreatment in predicting lifetime depression and anxiety diagnoses or sensitivity. This stresses the importance of replication studies with regard to OXTR gene variants in general populations as well as in clearly established clinical samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marieke S Tollenaar
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Institute of Psychology, Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, Leiden University, P.O. Box 9555, 2300 RB, Leiden, The Netherlands.
| | - Marc L Molendijk
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Institute of Psychology, Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, Leiden University, P.O. Box 9555, 2300 RB, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Brenda W J H Penninx
- Department of Psychiatry, EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research and Neuroscience Campus Amsterdam, VU University Medical Center/GGZ inGeest, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Yuri Milaneschi
- Department of Psychiatry, EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research and Neuroscience Campus Amsterdam, VU University Medical Center/GGZ inGeest, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Niki Antypa
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Institute of Psychology, Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, Leiden University, P.O. Box 9555, 2300 RB, Leiden, The Netherlands.
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39
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Differential susceptibility effects of oxytocin gene (OXT) polymorphisms and perceived parenting on social anxiety among adolescents. Dev Psychopathol 2017; 30:449-459. [DOI: 10.1017/s0954579417000967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
AbstractSocial anxiety is one of the most commonly reported mental health problems among adolescents, and it has been suggested that parenting style influences an adolescent's level of anxiety. A context-dependent effect of oxytocin on human social behavior has been proposed; however, research on the oxytocin gene (OXT) has mostly been reported without considering contextual factors. This study investigated the interactions between parenting style and polymorphic variations in the OXT gene in association with social anxiety symptoms in a community sample of adolescents (n = 1,359). Two single nucleotide polymorphisms linked to OXT, rs4813625 and rs2770378, were genotyped. Social anxiety and perceived parenting style were assessed by behavioral questionnaires. In interaction models adjusted for sex, significant interaction effects with parenting style were observed for both variants in relation to social anxiety. The nature of the interactions was in line with the differential susceptibility framework for rs4813625, whereas for rs2770378 the results indicated a diathesis–stress type of interaction. The findings may be interpreted from the perspective of the social salience hypothesis of oxytocin, with rs4813625 affecting social anxiety levels along a perceived unsafe–safe social context dimension.
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40
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Merrill LC, Jones CW, Drury SS, Theall KP. The differential impact of oxytocin receptor gene in violence-exposed boys and girls. Int J Dev Neurosci 2017; 59:60-67. [PMID: 28341538 PMCID: PMC5507059 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijdevneu.2017.03.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2017] [Revised: 03/02/2017] [Accepted: 03/20/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Childhood violence exposure is a prevalent public health problem. Understanding the lasting impact of violence requires an enhanced appreciation for the complex effects of violence across behavioral, physiologic, and molecular outcomes. This subject matched, cross-sectional study of 80 children explored the impact of violence exposure across behavioral, physiologic, and cellular outcomes. Externalizing behavior, diurnal cortisol rhythm, and telomere length (TL) were examined in a community recruited cohort of Black youth. Given evidence that genetic variation contributes to individual differences in response to the environment, we further tested whether a polymorphism in the oxytocin receptor gene (OXTR rs53576) moderated associations between violence and youth outcomes. Exposure to violence was directly associated with increased externalizing behavior, but no direct association of violence was found with cortisol or TL. Oxytocin genotype, however, moderated the association between violence and both cortisol and TL, suggesting that pathways linked to oxytocin may contribute to individual differences in the physiologic and molecular consequences of violence exposure. Sex differences with OXTR in cortisol and TL outcomes were also detected. Taken together, these findings suggest that there are complex pathways through which violence exposure impacts children, and that these pathways differ by both genetic variation and the sex of the child.
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Affiliation(s)
- Livia C Merrill
- Tulane University School of Medicine, 1430 Tulane Ave., New Orleans, LA 70112, United States.
| | - Christopher W Jones
- Tulane University School of Medicine, 1430 Tulane Ave., New Orleans, LA 70112, United States.
| | - Stacy S Drury
- Tulane University School of Medicine, 1430 Tulane Ave., New Orleans, LA 70112, United States.
| | - Katherine P Theall
- Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, 1440 Canal St., New Orleans, LA 70112, United States.
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41
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Birth weight interacts with a functional variant of the oxytocin receptor gene (OXTR) to predict executive functioning in children. Dev Psychopathol 2017; 30:203-211. [PMID: 28511728 DOI: 10.1017/s0954579417000578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Genetic variation in the oxytocin receptor gene (OXTR) is associated with several psychiatric conditions characterized by deficits in executive functioning (EF). A specific OXTR variant, rs2254298, has previously been associated with brain functioning in regions implicated in EF. Moreover, birth weight variation across the entire range is associated with individual differences in cortical structure and function that underlie EF. This is the first study to examine the main and interactive effect between rs2254298 and birth weight on EF in children. The sample consisted of 310 children from an ongoing longitudinal study. EF was measured at age 4.5 using observational tasks indexing working memory, cognitive flexibility, and inhibitory control. A family-based design that controlled for population admixture, stratification, and nongenomic confounds was employed. A significant genetic association between rs2254298 and EF was observed, with more copies of the major allele (G) associated with higher EF. There was also a significant interaction between rs2254298 and birth weight, such that more copies of the major allele in combination with higher birth weight predicted better EF. Findings suggest that OXTR may be associated with discrete neurocognitive abilities in childhood, and these effects may be modulated by intrauterine conditions related to fetal growth and development.
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42
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Kim S, Strathearn L. Trauma, Mothering, and Intergenerational Transmission: A Synthesis of Behavioral and Oxytocin Research. PSYCHOANALYTIC STUDY OF THE CHILD 2017. [DOI: 10.1080/00797308.2016.1277897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Sohye Kim
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Baylor College of Medicine
- Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine
- Center for Reproductive Psychiatry, Pavilion for Women, Texas Children’s Hospital
| | - Lane Strathearn
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine
- Center for Disabilities and Development, University of Iowa Children’s Hospital
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Shang S, Wu N, Su Y. How Oxytocin Receptor (OXTR) Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms Act on Prosociality: The Mediation Role of Moral Evaluation. Front Psychol 2017; 8:396. [PMID: 28377734 PMCID: PMC5359230 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2017.00396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2016] [Accepted: 03/02/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Prosociality is related to numerous positive outcomes, and mechanisms underlying individual differences in prosociality have been widely discussed. Recently, research has found converging evidence on the influence of the oxytocin receptor (OXTR) gene on prosociality. Meanwhile, moral reasoning, a key precursor for social behavior, has also been associated with variability in OXTR gene, thus the relationship between OXTR and prosociality is assumed to be mediated by moral evaluation. The current study examines the relationship in question, and includes gender as a potential moderator. Self-reported prosociality on Prosocial Tendencies Measure and evaluation on the moral acceptability of behaviors in stories from 790 Chinese adolescents (32.4% boys) were analyzed for the influence of their OXTR single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Results showed that SNP at site rs2254298 was indirectly associated with prosocial behaviors via moral evaluation of behaviors, and this effect was moderated by gender. Our findings suggest an indirect association between genetic variations in OXTR and prosociality through moral evaluation, indicating the potential pathway from genetic variability to prosociality through level of moral development. We also provide some evidence that the role of oxytocin system may to some extent depend on gender. These findings may promote our understanding of the genetic and biological roots of prosociality and morality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siyuan Shang
- School of Psychological and Cognitive Sciences and Beijing Key Laboratory of Behavior and Mental Health, Peking University, Beijing China
| | - Nan Wu
- Teachers' College of Beijing Union University, Beijing China
| | - Yanjie Su
- School of Psychological and Cognitive Sciences and Beijing Key Laboratory of Behavior and Mental Health, Peking University, Beijing China
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Anderson MR, Miller L, Wickramaratne P, Svob C, Odgerel Z, Zhao R, Weissman MM. Genetic Correlates of Spirituality/Religion and Depression: A Study in Offspring and Grandchildren at High and Low Familial Risk for Depression. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2017; 4:43-63. [PMID: 29057276 DOI: 10.1037/scp0000125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Possible genetic correlates of spirituality and depression have been identified in community samples. We investigate some of the previously identified candidates in a sample of families at both high and low-risk for depression. METHOD Offspring and grandchildren of individuals at high and low-risk for depression, participating in a multi-wave thirty-year longitudinal study, were assessed for seven SNPS drawn from four single gene candidates associated with systems implicated in both depression and spirituality: Serotonin (5-HT1B and 5-HT2A), Dopamine (DRD2), Oxytocin (OT) and Monoamine Vesicular Transporter (VMAT1). RESULTS Dopamine (DRD2) Serotonin (5-HT1B), their Transporter (VMAT1) and Oxytocin (OXTR) were positively associated with a high level of importance of spirituality or religion (S/R) in the group at low familial risk for depression. DRD2 minor allele was associated with both lifetime major depressive disorder (MDD) and spirituality in the low-risk group for depression. No SNPs were related to S/R in the group at high familial risk for depression. OXTR was associated with lifetime MDD in the full sample. CONCLUSION Genes for dopamine, serotonin, their vesicular transporter, and oxytocin may be associated with S/R in people at low familial risk for depression. Genes for dopamine may be associated both with S/R and increased risk for depression in people at low-risk for depression, suggesting a common pathway or physiology to mild to moderate depression. MDD is associated with oxytocin across risk groups. In the high-risk group, phenotypic expression of S/R may be suppressed. IMPLICATIONS The shared association of DRD2 by S/R and depression, generally found to be inversely related, calls for further research on their common physiological pathways, and the phenotypic expression of these pathways based upon use and environment. Prevention for offspring at high familial risk for depression might include support for the development of child spirituality.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lisa Miller
- Teachers College, Columbia University, New York, NY
| | - Priya Wickramaratne
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.,Division of Epidemiology, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA.,Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Connie Svob
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.,Division of Epidemiology, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA
| | - Zagaa Odgerel
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.,Division of Epidemiology, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ruixin Zhao
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.,Division of Epidemiology, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA
| | - Myrna M Weissman
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.,Division of Epidemiology, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA.,Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
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45
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Sippel LM, Allington CE, Pietrzak RH, Harpaz-Rotem I, Mayes LC, Olff M. Oxytocin and Stress-related Disorders: Neurobiological Mechanisms and Treatment Opportunities. CHRONIC STRESS (THOUSAND OAKS, CALIF.) 2017; 1:2470547016687996. [PMID: 28649672 PMCID: PMC5482285 DOI: 10.1177/2470547016687996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2016] [Revised: 12/14/2016] [Accepted: 12/15/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Novel pharmacotherapies that improve outcomes for individuals with stress-related psychiatric disorders are needed. The neurohormone oxytocin (OT) is a promising candidate given its influence on the social-emotional brain. In this review, we present an overview of evidence supporting OT's utility for treating major depressive disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder. We first discuss endogenous OT, which research suggests is not yet a reliable biomarker of stress-related disorders. Second, we review effects of intranasal (IN) OT on processes relevant to stress-related disorders in healthy populations (anhedonia, reward processing, psychosocial stress reactivity, fear/anxiety, and social behavior) and their neurobiological mechanisms (e.g., the salience network and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis). Third, we present the sparse but promising findings from clinical populations, followed by discussion of critical moderating variables to consider in the service of maximizing the therapeutic potential of OT (e.g., patient sex and child maltreatment). We also identify heterogeneous findings and limitations of existing research, including reliance on single-dose studies in psychiatrically healthy samples and unanswered questions regarding the effectiveness of IN drug delivery and dosing schedules. Well-controlled multidose studies including women and measures of potentially moderating variables are sorely needed and would inform our understanding of the utility of OT for preventing and treating stress-related psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren M. Sippel
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Clinical Neurosciences Division,
VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale
University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | | | - Robert H. Pietrzak
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Clinical Neurosciences Division,
VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale
University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Ilan Harpaz-Rotem
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Clinical Neurosciences Division,
VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale
University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | | | - Miranda Olff
- Department of Psychiatry, Academic
Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Arq Psychotrauma Expert Group, Diemen,
The Netherlands
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46
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Micali N, Crous‐Bou M, Treasure J, Lawson EA. Association Between Oxytocin Receptor Genotype, Maternal Care, and Eating Disorder Behaviours in a Community Sample of Women. EUROPEAN EATING DISORDERS REVIEW 2017; 25:19-25. [PMID: 27862641 PMCID: PMC5216446 DOI: 10.1002/erv.2486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2016] [Revised: 10/04/2016] [Accepted: 10/07/2016] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate associations between oxytocin receptor gene (OXT-R) polymorphisms (rs53576 and rs2254298), their interaction with maternal care (GxE), and ED behaviours in a community sample. We studied 3698 women from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) who participated in a two-phase prevalence study of lifetime ED and had genotype data. The GG rs53576 genotype was associated with binge eating and purging, and the rs2254298 AG/AA genotype with restrictive eating lifetime. In addition, the rs2254298 AG/AA genotype interacted with poor maternal care to increase the odds of binge eating and purging (odds ratio = 4.40 (95% confidence intervals: 1.11-17.4)). This study replicates previous findings of an association between OXT-R polymorphisms and ED, and it is the first to show an interaction between OXT-R genotype and poor maternal care. As such, these findings highlight the important role of oxytocin in understanding the pathophysiology of ED. © 2016 The Authors European Eating Disorders Review published by Eating Disorders Association and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadia Micali
- Eating and Weight Disorders Program, Department of PsychiatryIcahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiNew YorkNYUSA
- Mindich Child Health and Development InstituteIcahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiNew YorkNYUSA
- Institute of Child HealthUniversity College LondonLondonUK
| | - Marta Crous‐Bou
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of MedicineBrigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical SchoolBostonMAUSA
- Department of EpidemiologyHarvard T. H. Chan School of Public HealthBostonMAUSA
| | - Janet Treasure
- Eating Disorders Research Unit, Psychological MedicineInstitute of Psychiatry, King's College LondonLondonUK
| | - Elizabeth A. Lawson
- Neuroendocrine UnitMassachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical SchoolBostonMAUSA
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47
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Toepfer P, Heim C, Entringer S, Binder E, Wadhwa P, Buss C. Oxytocin pathways in the intergenerational transmission of maternal early life stress. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2016; 73:293-308. [PMID: 28027955 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2016.12.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2016] [Revised: 12/08/2016] [Accepted: 12/17/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Severe stress in early life, such as childhood abuse and neglect, constitutes a major risk factor in the etiology of psychiatric disorders and somatic diseases. Importantly, these long-term effects may impact the next generation. The intergenerational transmission of maternal early life stress (ELS) may occur via pre-and postnatal pathways, such as alterations in maternal-fetal-placental stress physiology, maternal depression during pregnancy and postpartum, as well as impaired mother-offspring interactions. The neuropeptide oxytocin (OT) has gained considerable attention for its role in modulating all of these assumed transmission pathways. Moreover, central and peripheral OT signaling pathways are highly sensitive to environmental exposures and may be compromised by ELS with implications for these putative transmission mechanisms. Together, these data suggest that OT pathways play an important role in the intergenerational transmission of maternal ELS in humans. By integrating recent studies on gene-environment interactions and epigenetic modifications in OT pathway genes, the present review aims to develop a conceptual framework of intergenerational transmission of maternal ELS that emphasizes the role of OT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philipp Toepfer
- Institute of Medical Psychology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Luisenstraße 57, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Christine Heim
- Institute of Medical Psychology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Luisenstraße 57, 10117, Berlin, Germany; Department of Biobehavioral Health, Penn State University, 219 Biobehavioral Health Building University Park, PA, 16802, USA
| | - Sonja Entringer
- Institute of Medical Psychology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Luisenstraße 57, 10117, Berlin, Germany; UC Irvine Development, Health and Disease Research Program, 333 The City Blvd. W, Suite 810, Orange, CA, 92868, USA
| | - Elisabeth Binder
- Max-Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Kraepelinstr. 2-10, 80804, Munich, Germany; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, School of Medicine Atlanta, GA, 30307, USA
| | - Pathik Wadhwa
- UC Irvine Development, Health and Disease Research Program, 333 The City Blvd. W, Suite 810, Orange, CA, 92868, USA
| | - Claudia Buss
- Institute of Medical Psychology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Luisenstraße 57, 10117, Berlin, Germany; UC Irvine Development, Health and Disease Research Program, 333 The City Blvd. W, Suite 810, Orange, CA, 92868, USA.
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48
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Wang J, Braskie MN, Hafzalla GW, Faskowitz J, McMahon KL, de Zubicaray GI, Wright MJ, Yu C, Thompson PM. Relationship of a common OXTR gene variant to brain structure and default mode network function in healthy humans. Neuroimage 2016; 147:500-506. [PMID: 28017919 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2016.12.062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2016] [Revised: 12/06/2016] [Accepted: 12/21/2016] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
A large body of research suggests that oxytocin receptor (OXTR) gene polymorphisms may influence both social behaviors and psychiatric conditions related to social deficits, such as autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), schizophrenia, and mood and anxiety disorders. However, the neural mechanism underlying these associations is still unclear. Relative to controls, patients with these psychiatric conditions show differences in brain structure, and in resting state fMRI (rs-fMRI) signal synchronicity among default mode network (DMN) regions (also known as functional connectivity). We used a stepwise imaging genetics approach in 328 healthy young adults to test the hypothesis that 10 SNPs in OXTR are associated with differences in DMN synchronicity and structure of some of the associated brain regions. As OXTR effects may be sex-dependent, we also tested whether our findings were modulated by sex. OXTR rs2254298 A allele carriers had significantly lower rsFC with PCC in a cluster extending from the right fronto-insular cortex to the putamen and globus pallidus, and in bilateral dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC) compared to individuals with the GG genotype; all observed effects were found only in males. Moreover, compared to the male individuals with GG genotype ofrs2254298, the male A allele carriers demonstrated significantly thinner cortical gray matter in the bilateral dACC. Our findings suggest that there may be sexually dimorphic mechanisms by which a naturally occurring variation of the OXTR gene may influence brain structure and function in DMN-related regions implicated in neuropsychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junping Wang
- Imaging Genetics Center, Keck/USC School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Marina del Rey, CA 90292, USA; Department of Radiology and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Functional Imaging, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 30052, China.
| | - Meredith N Braskie
- Imaging Genetics Center, Keck/USC School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Marina del Rey, CA 90292, USA
| | - George W Hafzalla
- Imaging Genetics Center, Keck/USC School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Marina del Rey, CA 90292, USA
| | - Joshua Faskowitz
- Imaging Genetics Center, Keck/USC School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Marina del Rey, CA 90292, USA
| | - Katie L McMahon
- Center for Advanced Imaging, University of Queensland, Brisbane QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Greig I de Zubicaray
- Faculty of Health and Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane QLD 4059, Australia
| | - Margaret J Wright
- Queensland Brain Institute, University of Queensland, Brisbane QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Chunshui Yu
- Department of Radiology and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Functional Imaging, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 30052, China
| | - Paul M Thompson
- Imaging Genetics Center, Keck/USC School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Marina del Rey, CA 90292, USA.
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49
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Association between oxytocin and receptor genetic polymorphisms and aggression in a northern Chinese Han population with alcohol dependence. Neurosci Lett 2016; 636:140-144. [PMID: 27818356 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2016.10.066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2016] [Revised: 08/03/2016] [Accepted: 10/25/2016] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Alcohol dependence (AD) is a common chronic brain disorder precipitated by complex interactions between biological, genetic, and environmental risk factors. Aggression often occurs in the context of AD. Previous studies have shown that Oxytocin (OXT) and OXT receptor (OXTR) are involved in the regulation of aggression. The present study investigated whether variations and interactions of OXT and OXTR genes were associated with AD-related aggression in a genetically homogeneous northern Chinese Han population. METHODS Three hundred and twenty-four male AD patients and 510 male healthy controls (HCs) were recruited. A Chinese version of the Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire was used as a subjective measurement of aggressive behavior. Three variations, rs2254298, rs53576, and rs6133010 were genotyped using TaqMan and ligase detection reaction for all subjects. Generalized Multifactor Dimensionality Reduction was used to detect interactions between genetic attributes and environmental attributes. RESULTS The frequencies of alleles and genotypes of rs6133010 were significantly different between AD patients and HCs (p<0.001). In HCs, the effect of genotype GG of rs53576 on hostility aggression was significantly stronger than that of genotype AA and AG (p=0.001 and p=0.004, respectively), and the subjects with the interaction combination of rs6133010AA×rs2254298GG×rs53576AG exhibited significant effect on physical aggression (p=0.0107). CONCLUSION The present study found that rs6133010 in the OXT gene is associated with AD in the northern Chinese Han population. The polymorphisms of OXT/R may play a key role in the susceptibility of AD-related aggression.
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50
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Huetter FK, Bachmann HS, Reinders A, Siffert D, Stelmach P, Knop D, Horn PA, Siffert W. Association of a Common Oxytocin Receptor Gene Polymorphism with Self-Reported 'Empathic Concern' in a Large Population of Healthy Volunteers. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0160059. [PMID: 27467763 PMCID: PMC4965009 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0160059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2016] [Accepted: 07/13/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Previous research has linked genomic variations of the oxytocin receptor (OXTR) gene with individual differences in empathy. The impact of these variations on specific cognitive and emotional aspects of empathy, however, remains to be clarified. Methods We analysed associations of a common OXTR polymorphism (rs53576) with trait empathy in a sample of 421 blood donors (231 M, 190 F; age 18–74) using the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI) as an established multidimensional self-report measure of empathy. Results Female sex was significantly associated with higher empathy scores in all IRI scales (p<0.001) with the exception of the cognitive perspective taking scale (p = 0.09). The overall trait empathy score was significantly associated with rs53576 (p = 0.01), with mean scores increasing from AA to GG genotypes. An analysis of the IRI subscores revealed that the polymorphism was especially associated with the emotional empathic concern scale (p = 0.02). Separate analysis of the male and female subgroup revealed a significant association of the polymorphism with female (p = 0.04), but not with male (p = 0.20) empathic concern. A comparison of effect sizes between the groups showed greater effects for women compared to men although effect size differences did not become significant in our sample. Conclusions Our findings suggest a significant association of the rs53576 OXTR gene polymorphism with trait empathy and especially with emotional aspects of empathy. This association is possibly weaker or absent in men compared to women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franz Korbinian Huetter
- Institut für Pharmakogenetik, Universitätsklinikum Essen, Universität Duisburg Essen, D-45122 Essen, Germany
| | - Hagen Sjard Bachmann
- Institut für Pharmakogenetik, Universitätsklinikum Essen, Universität Duisburg Essen, D-45122 Essen, Germany
| | - Anette Reinders
- Institut für Pharmakogenetik, Universitätsklinikum Essen, Universität Duisburg Essen, D-45122 Essen, Germany
| | - Doris Siffert
- Institut für Pharmakogenetik, Universitätsklinikum Essen, Universität Duisburg Essen, D-45122 Essen, Germany
| | - Patrick Stelmach
- Institut für Pharmakogenetik, Universitätsklinikum Essen, Universität Duisburg Essen, D-45122 Essen, Germany
| | - Dietmar Knop
- Institut für Transfusionsmedizin, Universitätsklinikum Essen, Universität Duisburg Essen, D-45122 Essen, Germany
| | - Peter Alexander Horn
- Institut für Transfusionsmedizin, Universitätsklinikum Essen, Universität Duisburg Essen, D-45122 Essen, Germany
| | - Winfried Siffert
- Institut für Pharmakogenetik, Universitätsklinikum Essen, Universität Duisburg Essen, D-45122 Essen, Germany
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