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Choi J, Jung S, Kim J, So D, Kim A, Kim S, Choi S, Yoo E, Kim JY, Jang YC, Lee H, Kim J, Shin HS, Chae S, Keum S. ARNT2 controls prefrontal somatostatin interneurons mediating affective empathy. Cell Rep 2024; 43:114659. [PMID: 39180750 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.114659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2024] [Revised: 07/01/2024] [Accepted: 08/05/2024] [Indexed: 08/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Empathy, crucial for social interaction, is impaired across various neuropsychiatric conditions. However, the genetic and neural underpinnings of empathy variability remain elusive. By combining forward genetic mapping with transcriptome analysis, we discover that aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator 2 (ARNT2) is a key driver modulating observational fear, a basic form of affective empathy. Disrupted ARNT2 expression in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) reduces affect sharing in mice. Specifically, selective ARNT2 ablation in somatostatin (SST)-expressing interneurons leads to decreased pyramidal cell excitability, increased spontaneous firing, aberrant Ca2+ dynamics, and disrupted theta oscillations in the ACC, resulting in reduced vicarious freezing. We further demonstrate that ARNT2-expressing SST interneurons govern affective state discrimination, uncovering a potential mechanism by which ARNT2 polymorphisms associate with emotion recognition in humans. Our findings advance our understanding of the molecular mechanism controlling empathic capacity and highlight the neural substrates underlying social affective dysfunctions in psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiye Choi
- Center for Cognition and Sociality, Institute for Basic Science, Daejeon 34126, South Korea
| | - Seungmoon Jung
- Center for Cognition and Sociality, Institute for Basic Science, Daejeon 34126, South Korea
| | - Jieun Kim
- Department of Bio-Health Technology, College of Biomedicine Science, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 24341, South Korea; Multidimensional Genomics Research Center, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 24341, South Korea
| | - Dahm So
- Center for Cognition and Sociality, Institute for Basic Science, Daejeon 34126, South Korea; Department of Bio and Brain Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34141, South Korea
| | - Arie Kim
- Center for Cognition and Sociality, Institute for Basic Science, Daejeon 34126, South Korea
| | - Sowon Kim
- Center for Cognition and Sociality, Institute for Basic Science, Daejeon 34126, South Korea
| | - Sungjoon Choi
- Center for Cognition and Sociality, Institute for Basic Science, Daejeon 34126, South Korea
| | - Eunsu Yoo
- Center for Cognition and Sociality, Institute for Basic Science, Daejeon 34126, South Korea
| | - Jee Yeon Kim
- Center for Cognition and Sociality, Institute for Basic Science, Daejeon 34126, South Korea
| | - Yoon Cheol Jang
- Research Solution Center, Institute for Basic Science, Daejeon 34126, South Korea
| | - Hyoin Lee
- Center for Cognition and Sociality, Institute for Basic Science, Daejeon 34126, South Korea
| | - Jeongyeon Kim
- Emotion, Cognition and Behavior Research Group, Korea Brain Research Institute, Daegu 41062, South Korea
| | - Hee-Sup Shin
- Center for Cognition and Sociality, Institute for Basic Science, Daejeon 34126, South Korea
| | - Sehyun Chae
- Multidimensional Genomics Research Center, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 24341, South Korea; Division of Chemical Engineering and Bioengineering, College of Art, Culture and Engineering, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 24341, South Korea.
| | - Sehoon Keum
- Center for Cognition and Sociality, Institute for Basic Science, Daejeon 34126, South Korea.
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Thompson RR, Price D, Burris D, Cloutier A, Rilling JK. Effects of arginine vasopressin on human anxiety and associations with sex, dose, and V1a-receptor genotype. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2024; 241:1177-1190. [PMID: 38358527 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-024-06551-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
RATIONALE Arginine vasopressin (AVP) has dose- and sex-specific effects on social behavior, and variation in social responses is related to variation in the V1a receptor gene in animals. Whether such complexity also characterizes AVP effects on anxiety in humans, or whether V1a genotype is related to anxiety and/or AVP's ability to affect it, remains to be determined. OBJECTIVE To test if AVP has dose-dependent effects on anxiety in men and/or women and if a particular allele within the RS3 promoter region of the V1a receptor gene is associated with anxiety and/or AVP effects on anxiety. METHOD Men and women self-administered 20 IU or 40 IU intranasal arginine vasopressin (AVP) and placebo in a double-blind, within-subjects design, and State (SA) and Trait (TA) anxiety were measured 60 min later. PCR was used to identify allelic variation within the RS3 region of the V1a receptor gene. RESULTS AVP decreased SA in men across both doses, whereas only the lower dose had the same effect, across sexes, in individuals who carry at least one copy of a previously identified "risk" allele in the RS3 promoter of the V1a receptor gene. Additionally, after placebo, women who carried a copy of the allele displayed lower TA than women who did not, and AVP acutely increased TA scores in those women. CONCLUSIONS Exogenous AVP has modest sex- and dose-dependent effects on anxiety/affect in humans. Further, allelic variation in the V1a promoter appears associated with responsiveness to AVP's effects and, at least in women, to stable levels of anxiety/affect.
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Affiliation(s)
- R R Thompson
- Division of Social Sciences, Oxford College of Emory University, Oxford, GA, 30054, USA.
- Neuroscience Program, Bowdoin College, Brunswick, ME, 04011, USA.
| | - D Price
- Department of Psychiatry, Maine Medical Center, Portland, ME, USA
| | - D Burris
- Department of Psychiatry, Maine Medical Center, Portland, ME, USA
| | - A Cloutier
- Department of Psychiatry, Maine Medical Center, Portland, ME, USA
| | - J K Rilling
- Department of Psychology, Emory University, Atalanta, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University, Atalanta, USA
- Center for Behavioral Neuroscience, Emory University, Atalanta, USA
- Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atalanta, USA
- Center for Translational Social Neuroscience, Emory University, Atalanta, USA
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Deng G, Ai H, Qin L, Xu J, Feng C, Xu P. Dissociated modulations of intranasal vasopressin on prosocial learning between reward-seeking and punishment-avoidance. Psychol Med 2023; 53:5415-5427. [PMID: 35983609 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291722002483] [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] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND As an integral ingredient of human sociality, prosocial behavior requires learning what acts can benefit or harm others. However, it remains unknown how individuals adjust prosocial learning to avoid punishment or to pursue reward. Given that arginine vasopressin (AVP) is a neuropeptide that has been involved in modulating various social behaviors in mammals, it could be a crucial neurochemical facilitator that supports prosocial learning. METHODS In 50 placebo controls and 54 participants with AVP administration, we examined the modulation of AVP on the prosocial learning characterized by reward and punishment framework, as well as its underlying neurocomputational mechanisms combining computational modeling, event-related potentials and oscillations. RESULTS We found a self-bias that individuals learn to avoid punishment asymmetrically more severely than reward-seeking. Importantly, AVP increased behavioral performances and learning rates when making decisions to avoid losses for others and to obtain gains for self. These behavioral effects were underpinned by larger responses of stimulus-preceding negativity (SPN) to anticipation, as well as higher punishment-related feedback-related negativity (FRN) for prosocial learning and reward-related P300 for proself benefits, while FRN and P300 neural processes were integrated into theta (4-7 Hz) oscillation at the outcome evaluation stage. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that AVP context-dependently up-regulates altruism for concerning others' losses and reward-seeking for self-oriented benefits. Our findings provide insight into the selectively modulatory roles of AVP in prosocial behaviors depending on learning contexts between proself reward-seeking and prosocial punishment-avoidance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangzhi Deng
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Applied Experimental Psychology, National Demonstration Center for Experimental Psychology Education (BNU), Faculty of Psychology, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Hui Ai
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Affective and Social Neuroscience, Magnetic Resonance Imaging Center, Center for Brain Disorders and Cognitive Sciences, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Lili Qin
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Affective and Social Neuroscience, Magnetic Resonance Imaging Center, Center for Brain Disorders and Cognitive Sciences, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jie Xu
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Affective and Social Neuroscience, Magnetic Resonance Imaging Center, Center for Brain Disorders and Cognitive Sciences, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Chunliang Feng
- Key Laboratory of Brain, Cognition and Education Sciences, Ministry of Education (South China Normal University), Guangzhou, China
- School of Psychology, Center for Studies of Psychological Application, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Pengfei Xu
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Applied Experimental Psychology, National Demonstration Center for Experimental Psychology Education (BNU), Faculty of Psychology, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
- Center for Emotion and Brain, Shenzhen Institute of Neuroscience, Shenzhen, China
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Howarth ERI, Szott ID, Witham CL, Wilding CS, Bethell EJ. Genetic polymorphisms in the serotonin, dopamine and opioid pathways influence social attention in rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta). PLoS One 2023; 18:e0288108. [PMID: 37531334 PMCID: PMC10395878 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0288108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Behaviour has a significant heritable component; however, unpicking the variants of interest in the neural circuits and molecular pathways that underpin these has proven difficult. Here, we present a comprehensive analysis of the relationship between known and new candidate genes from identified pathways and key behaviours for survival in 109 adult rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta). Eight genes involved in emotion were analysed for variation at a total of nine loci. Genetic data were then correlated with cognitive and observational measures of behaviour associated with wellbeing and survival using MCMC-based Bayesian GLMM in R, to account for relatedness within the macaque population. For four loci the variants genotyped were length polymorphisms (SLC6A4 5-hydroxytryptamine transporter length-polymorphic repeat (5-HTTLPR), SLC6A4 STin polymorphism, Tryptophan 5-hydroxylase 2 (TPH2) and Monoamine oxidase A (MAOA)) whilst for the other five (5-hydroxytryptamine receptor 2A (HTR2A), Dopamine Receptor D4 (DRD4), Oxytocin receptor (OXTR), Arginine vasopressin receptor 1A (AVPR1a), Opioid receptor mu(μ) 1 (OPRM1)) SNPs were analysed. STin genotype, DRD4 haplotype and OXTR haplotype were significantly associated with the cognitive and observational measures of behaviour associated with wellbeing and survival. Genotype for 5-HTTLPR, STin and AVPR1a, and haplotype for HTR2A, DRD4 and OXTR were significantly associated with the duration of behaviours including fear and anxiety. Understanding the biological underpinnings of individual variation in negative emotion (e.g., fear and anxiety), together with their impact on social behaviour (e.g., social attention including vigilance for threat) has application for managing primate populations in the wild and captivity, as well as potential translational application for understanding of the genetic basis of emotions in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmeline R. I. Howarth
- Research Centre in Brain and Behaviour, School of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, United Kingdom
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Chester, Chester, United Kingdom
| | - Isabelle D. Szott
- Research Centre in Brain and Behaviour, School of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Claire L. Witham
- Centre for Macaques, Harwell Institute, Medical Research Council, Salisbury, United Kingdom
| | - Craig S. Wilding
- Biodiversity and Conservation Group, School of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Emily J. Bethell
- Research Centre in Brain and Behaviour, School of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, United Kingdom
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Profiling of G-Protein Coupled Receptors in Adipose Tissue and Differentiating Adipocytes Offers a Translational Resource for Obesity/Metabolic Research. Cells 2023; 12:cells12030377. [PMID: 36766718 PMCID: PMC9913134 DOI: 10.3390/cells12030377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Revised: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are expressed essentially on all cells, facilitating cellular responses to external stimuli, and are involved in nearly every biological process. Several members of this family play significant roles in the regulation of adipogenesis and adipose metabolism. However, the expression and functional significance of a vast number of GPCRs in adipose tissue are unknown. We used a high-throughput RT-PCR panel to determine the expression of the entire repertoire of non-sensory GPCRs in mouse white, and brown adipose tissue and assess changes in their expression during adipogenic differentiation of murine adipocyte cell line, 3T3-L1. In addition, the expression of GPCRs in subcutaneous adipose tissues from lean, obese, and diabetic human subjects and in adipocytes isolated from regular chow and high-fat fed mice were evaluated by re-analyzing RNA-sequencing data. We detected a total of 292 and 271 GPCRs in mouse white and brown adipose tissue, respectively. There is a significant overlap in the expression of GPCRs between the two adipose tissue depots, but several GPCRs are specifically expressed in one of the two tissue types. Adipogenic differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells had a profound impact on the expression of several GPCRs. RNA sequencing of subcutaneous adipose from healthy human subjects detected 255 GPCRs and obesity significantly changed the expression of several GPCRs in adipose tissue. High-fat diet had a significant impact on adipocyte GPCR expression that was similar to human obesity. Finally, we report several highly expressed GPCRs with no known role in adipose biology whose expression was significantly altered during adipogenic differentiation, and/or in the diseased human subjects. These GPCRs could play an important role in adipose metabolism and serve as a valuable translational resource for obesity and metabolic research.
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Kappelmayer M, Czar A, Tresca M, D’Adamo P, Lozada M. A school intervention promotes compassion, empathy and social relationships in children. SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGY INTERNATIONAL 2022. [DOI: 10.1177/01430343221145668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
There is increasing evidence to show that compassion and altruism are highly beneficial when cultivated from an early age. In the present study we explore the benefits of an intervention programme that seeks to develop affective empathy, compassion and altruism in 9-year-old children from a school of Buenos Aires, Argentina. A pretest-posttest controlled study was carried out with 48 children, half of whom carried out the intervention. The remaining children, who constituted the waitlist group, participated in academic tutoring activities conducted by the same research team. The intervention was successful in promoting children's altruistic and compassionate attitudes, evidenced by the results obtained in the universal altruism test, social integration, and affective response. Effect sizes ranged from medium to large in the intervention group. These positive findings were not observed in the waitlist group (non-significant effect sizes). This study shows that children's self-awareness and awareness of others tend to foster compassion and affective empathy, contributing to individual and collective well-being.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Andrea Czar
- Belgrano University, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Crespi B, Procyshyn T, Mokkonen M. Natura Non Facit Saltus: The Adaptive Significance of Arginine Vasopressin in Human Affect, Cognition, and Behavior. Front Behav Neurosci 2022; 16:814230. [PMID: 35586834 PMCID: PMC9108674 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2022.814230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2021] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Hormones coordinate internal bodily systems with cognition, affect, and behavior, and thereby influence aspects of social interactions including cooperation, competition, isolation, and loneliness. The adaptive significance and contextuality of oxytocin (OXT) and testosterone (T) have been well-studied, but a unified theory and evolutionary framework for understanding the adaptive functions of arginine vasopressin (AVP) remain undeveloped. We propose and evaluate the hypothesis that AVP mediates adaptive variation in the presence and strength of social and sociosexual salience, attention and behavior specifically in situations that involve combinations of cooperation with conflict or competition. This hypothesis can help to explain the ancestral, original functions of AVP-like peptides, and their continuity with the current roles of AVP, for humans, in male-male competition, male-male reciprocity, male-to-female pair bonding, female-female interactions, social integration, and social attention and anxiety. In this context, social isolation and loneliness may be mediated by reduced abilities or interests in navigation of social opportunities and situations, due in part to low AVP levels or reactivity, and in part to reductions in levels of OXT-mediated social reward.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernard Crespi
- Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
| | - Tanya Procyshyn
- Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
- Autism Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Mika Mokkonen
- Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
- Department of Biology, Kwantlen Polytechnic University, Surrey, BC, Canada
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Vilalva S, Löhr SS, Guedes M. Comportamento Altruísta na Infância: O que a Literatura nos Mostra. PSICOLOGIA: TEORIA E PESQUISA 2021. [DOI: 10.1590/0102.3772e373514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Resumo Uma variedade de comportamentos altruístas diferenciados tem sido evidenciada na infância. O presente artigo objetivou sistematizar estudos empíricos produzidos nos anos de 2010 a 2015 sobre o altruísmo infantil. Após a elaboração e aplicação de um protocolo sistematizado de seleção, foram encontrados 14 artigos, os quais foram analisados na íntegra. Os estudos contemplaram o altruísmo infantil (1 a 11 anos de idade) em associação a diferentes variáveis, tais como avaliação moral, custos de resposta, renda familiar, distância social, capacidade de abster-se de prêmios imediatos, eventos adversos, representações de apego, dominância social, composição genética, entre outras. Concluiu-se que crianças ainda muito jovens em contextos variados demonstram altruísmo por meio de ações topograficamente diversas à medida que encontram oportunidades para isso.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suellen Vilalva
- Faculdade Herrero, Brasil; Universidade Federal do Paraná, Brasil
| | | | - Matheus Guedes
- Universidade Federal do Paraná, Brasil; Universidade Estadual do Centro-Oeste, Brasil
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9
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Rivera-Hechem MI, Rodríguez-Sickert C, Guzmán RA, Ramírez-Parada T, Benavides F, Landaeta-Torres V, Aspé-Sánchez M, Repetto GM. No association between genetic variants in MAOA, OXTR, and AVPR1a and cooperative strategies. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0244189. [PMID: 33362272 PMCID: PMC7757875 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0244189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2020] [Accepted: 12/05/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The effort to understand the genetic basis of human sociality has been encouraged by the diversity and heritability of social traits like cooperation. This task has remained elusive largely because most studies of sociality and genetics use sample sizes that are often unable to detect the small effects that single genes may have on complex social behaviors. The lack of robust findings could also be a consequence of a poor characterization of social phenotypes. Here, we explore the latter possibility by testing whether refining measures of cooperative phenotypes can increase the replication of previously reported associations between genetic variants and cooperation in small samples. Unlike most previous studies of sociality and genetics, we characterize cooperative phenotypes based on strategies rather than actions. Measuring strategies help differentiate between similar actions with different underlaying social motivations while controlling for expectations and learning. In an admixed Latino sample (n = 188), we tested whether cooperative strategies were associated with three genetic variants thought to influence sociality in humans—MAOA-uVNTR, OXTR rs53576, and AVPR1 RS3. We found no association between cooperative strategies and any of the candidate genetic variants. Since we were unable to replicate previous observations our results suggest that refining measurements of cooperative phenotypes as strategies is not enough to overcome the inherent statistical power problem of candidate gene studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- María I. Rivera-Hechem
- Centro de Investigación en Complejidad Social (CICS), Facultad de Gobierno, Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago, Chile
| | - Carlos Rodríguez-Sickert
- Centro de Investigación en Complejidad Social (CICS), Facultad de Gobierno, Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago, Chile
| | - Ricardo A. Guzmán
- Centro de Investigación en Complejidad Social (CICS), Facultad de Gobierno, Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago, Chile
- * E-mail:
| | - Tadeo Ramírez-Parada
- Centro de Investigación en Complejidad Social (CICS), Facultad de Gobierno, Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago, Chile
| | - Felipe Benavides
- Centro de Genética y Genómica, Facultad de Medicina, Clínica Alemana Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago, Chile
| | - Víctor Landaeta-Torres
- Centro de Investigación en Complejidad Social (CICS), Facultad de Gobierno, Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago, Chile
| | - Mauricio Aspé-Sánchez
- Centro de Investigación en Complejidad Social (CICS), Facultad de Gobierno, Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago, Chile
| | - Gabriela M. Repetto
- Centro de Genética y Genómica, Facultad de Medicina, Clínica Alemana Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago, Chile
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Feng C, Qin L, Luo Y, Xu P. Intranasal vasopressin expedites dishonesty in women. Horm Behav 2020; 126:104843. [PMID: 32827501 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2020.104843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2019] [Revised: 07/14/2020] [Accepted: 08/14/2020] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
As an integral ingredient of human sociality, dishonesty can be both egocentric and altruistic, as well as gradually escalate. Here, we examined the influence of arginine vasopressin (AVP), a neuropeptide associated with human prosocial behaviors, on dishonest behaviors in men and women. In this double-blind and placebo-controlled study, 101 participants were randomized to administration of either 20 IU intranasal AVP or placebo. We used a two-party task to manipulate the incentive structure of dishonesty in the way of self-/other-serving repeatedly. For lies that benefit both themselves and others, women receiving intranasal AVP lied more than women receiving intranasal placebo and men receiving intranasal AVP. The dishonest behavior of women treated with AVP gradually escalated with repetition over time. These results suggest that AVP selectively regulates the escalation of dishonesty in women, contingent on the motivation of dishonesty. Our findings provide insight into gender-specific modulations of AVP on human dishonest behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunliang Feng
- Key Laboratory of Brain, Cognition and Education Sciences, Ministry of Education, School of Psychology, Center for Studies of Psychological Application, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, South China Normal University, China.
| | - Lili Qin
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Affective and Social Neuroscience, Center for Brain Disorders and Cognitive Sciences, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China; Center for Emotion and Brain, Shenzhen Institute of Neuroscience, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yuejia Luo
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Affective and Social Neuroscience, Center for Brain Disorders and Cognitive Sciences, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China; Center for Emotion and Brain, Shenzhen Institute of Neuroscience, Shenzhen, China
| | - Pengfei Xu
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Applied Experimental Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China; Center for Emotion and Brain, Shenzhen Institute of Neuroscience, Shenzhen, China; Great Bay Neuroscience and Technology Research Institute (Hong Kong), Kwun Tong, Hong Kong, China.
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11
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Zeev-Wolf M, Levy J, Ebstein RP, Feldman R. Cumulative Risk on Oxytocin-Pathway Genes Impairs Default Mode Network Connectivity in Trauma-Exposed Youth. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2020; 11:335. [PMID: 32528417 PMCID: PMC7256187 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2020.00335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2020] [Accepted: 04/29/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Although the default mode network (DMN) is a core network essential for brain functioning, little is known about its developmental trajectory, particularly on factors associated with its coherence into a functional network. In light of adult studies indicating DMN's susceptibility to stress-related conditions, we examined links between variability on oxytocin-pathway genes and DMN connectivity in youth exposed to chronic war-related trauma Methods: Following a cohort of war-exposed children from early childhood, we imaged the brains of 74 preadolescents (age 11-13 years; 39 war-exposed) during rest using magnetoencephalography (MEG). A cumulative risk index on oxytocin-pathway genes was constructed by combining single nucleotide polymorphisms on five genes previously linked with social deficits and psychopathology; OXTR rs1042778, OXTR rs2254298, OXTRrs53576, CD38 rs3796863, and AVPR1A RS3. Avoidant response to trauma reminders in early childhood and anxiety disorders in late childhood were assessed as predictors of disruptions to DMN theta connectivity. Results: Higher vulnerability on oxytocin-pathway genes predicted greater disruptions to DMN theta connectivity. Avoidant symptoms in early childhood and generalized anxiety disorder in later childhood were related to impaired DMN connectivity. In combination, stress exposure, oxytocin-pathway genes, and stress-related symptoms explained 24.6% of the variance in DMN connectivity, highlighting the significant effect of stress on the maturing brain. Conclusions: Findings are the first to link the oxytocin system and maturation of the DMN, a core system sustaining autobiographical memories, alteration of intrinsic and extrinsic attention, mentalization, and sense of self. Results suggest that oxytocin may buffer the effects of chronic early stress on the DMN, particularly theta rhythms that typify the developing brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maor Zeev-Wolf
- Department of Education, Zlotowski Center for Neuroscience, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - Jonathan Levy
- Interdiscilinary Center Herzliya, Baruch Ivcher School of Psychology, Herzliya, Israel
- Department of Neuroscience and Biomedical Engineering, Aalto University, Espoo, Finland
| | - Richard P. Ebstein
- Department of Psychology, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Ruth Feldman
- Interdiscilinary Center Herzliya, Baruch Ivcher School of Psychology, Herzliya, Israel
- Child Study Center, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
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12
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Verhagen M, Verweij KJH, Lodder GMA, Goossens L, Verschueren K, Van Leeuwen K, Van den Noortgate W, Claes S, Bijttebier P, Van Assche E, Vink JM. A SNP, Gene, and Polygenic Risk Score Approach of Oxytocin-Vasopressin Genes in Adolescents' Loneliness. JOURNAL OF RESEARCH ON ADOLESCENCE : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR RESEARCH ON ADOLESCENCE 2020; 30 Suppl 2:333-348. [PMID: 30697859 PMCID: PMC7277497 DOI: 10.1111/jora.12480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Not much is known regarding underlying biological pathways to adolescents' loneliness. Insight in underlying molecular mechanisms could inform intervention efforts aimed at reducing loneliness. Using latent growth curve modeling, baseline levels and development of loneliness were studied in two longitudinal adolescent samples. Genes (OXTR, OXT, AVPR1A, AVPR1B) were examined using SNP-based, gene-based, and polygenic risk score (PRS) approaches. In both samples, SNP- and gene-based tests showed involvement of the OXTR gene in development of loneliness, though, significance levels did not survive correction for multiple testing. The PRS approach provided no evidence for relations with loneliness. We recommend alternative phenotyping methods, including environmental factors, to consider epigenetic studies, and to examine possible endophenotypes in relation to adolescents' loneliness.
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13
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Mulholland MM, Navabpour SV, Mareno MC, Schapiro SJ, Young LJ, Hopkins WD. AVPR1A variation is linked to gray matter covariation in the social brain network of chimpanzees. GENES BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR 2020; 19:e12631. [PMID: 31894656 DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2019] [Revised: 11/01/2019] [Accepted: 12/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The vasopressin system has been implicated in the regulation of social behavior and cognition in humans, nonhuman primates and other social mammals. In chimpanzees, polymorphisms in the vasopressin V1a receptor gene (AVPR1A) have been associated with social dimensions of personality, as well as to responses to sociocommunicative cues and mirror self-recognition. Despite evidence of this association with social cognition and behavior, there is little research on the neuroanatomical correlates of AVPR1A variation. In the current study, we tested the association between AVPR1A polymorphisms in the RS3 promotor region and gray matter covariation in chimpanzees using magnetic resonance imaging and source-based morphometry. The analysis identified 13 independent brain components, three of which differed significantly in covariation between the two AVPR1A genotypes (DupB-/- and DupB+/-; P < .05). DupB+/- chimpanzees showed greater covariation in gray matter in the premotor and prefrontal cortex, basal forebrain, lunate and cingulate cortex, and lesser gray matter covariation in the superior temporal sulcus and postcentral sulcus. Some of these regions were previously found to differ in vasopressin and oxytocin neural fibers between nonhuman primates, and in AVPR1A gene expression in humans with different RS3 alleles. This is the first report of an association between AVPR1A and gray matter covariation in nonhuman primates, and specifically links an AVPR1A polymorphism to structural variation in the social brain network. These results further affirm the value of chimpanzees as a model species for investigating the relationship between genetic variation, brain structure and social cognition with relevance to psychiatric disorders, including autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michele M Mulholland
- Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia.,Keeling Center for Comparative Medicine and Research, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Bastrop, Texas
| | | | - Mary C Mareno
- Keeling Center for Comparative Medicine and Research, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Bastrop, Texas
| | - Steven J Schapiro
- Keeling Center for Comparative Medicine and Research, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Bastrop, Texas.,University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Larry J Young
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Center for Translational Social Neuroscience, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - William D Hopkins
- Keeling Center for Comparative Medicine and Research, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Bastrop, Texas
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14
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Brydges NM, Hall J, Best C, Rule L, Watkin H, Drake AJ, Lewis C, Thomas KL, Hall J. Childhood stress impairs social function through AVP-dependent mechanisms. Transl Psychiatry 2019; 9:330. [PMID: 31819033 PMCID: PMC6901493 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-019-0678-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2019] [Revised: 11/19/2019] [Accepted: 11/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Impaired social function is a core feature of many psychiatric illnesses. Adverse experiences during childhood increase risk for mental illness, however it is currently unclear whether stress early in life plays a direct role in the development of social difficulties. Using a rat model of pre-pubertal stress (PPS), we investigated effects on social behaviour, oxytocin and arginine vasopressin (AVP) in the periphery (plasma) and centrally in the paraventricular and supraoptic hypothalamic nuclei. We also explored social performance and AVP expression (plasma) in participants with borderline personality disorder (BPD) who experienced a high incidence of childhood stress. Social behaviour was impaired and AVP expression increased in animals experiencing PPS and participants with BPD. Behavioural deficits in animals were rescued through administration of the AVPR1a antagonist Relcovaptan (SR49059). AVP levels and recognition of negative emotions were significantly correlated in BPD participants only. In conclusion, early life stress plays a role in the precipitation of social dysfunction, and AVP mediates at least part of this effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nichola M Brydges
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, Cardiff University, Hadyn Ellis Building, Maindy Road, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ, UK.
| | - Jessica Hall
- National Centre for Mental Health, Cardiff University, Hadyn Ellis Building, Maindy Road, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ, UK
| | - Caroline Best
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, Cardiff University, Hadyn Ellis Building, Maindy Road, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ, UK
| | - Lowenna Rule
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, Cardiff University, Hadyn Ellis Building, Maindy Road, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ, UK
| | - Holly Watkin
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, Cardiff University, Hadyn Ellis Building, Maindy Road, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ, UK
| | - Amanda J Drake
- University/BHF Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Catrin Lewis
- National Centre for Mental Health, Cardiff University, Hadyn Ellis Building, Maindy Road, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ, UK
| | - Kerrie L Thomas
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, Cardiff University, Hadyn Ellis Building, Maindy Road, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ, UK
- School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Museum Avenue, Cardiff, CF10 3AX, UK
| | - Jeremy Hall
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, Cardiff University, Hadyn Ellis Building, Maindy Road, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ, UK
- MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Cardiff University, Hadyn Ellis Building, Maindy Road, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ, UK
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15
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Nishina K, Takagishi H, Takahashi H, Sakagami M, Inoue-Murayama M. Association of Polymorphism of Arginine-Vasopressin Receptor 1A ( AVPR1a) Gene With Trust and Reciprocity. Front Hum Neurosci 2019; 13:230. [PMID: 31354450 PMCID: PMC6630777 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2019.00230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2019] [Accepted: 06/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Oxytocin (OXT) is known to play an important role in trust, whereas the involvement of other peptide hormones has not been evaluated. In this study, we focused on microsatellite polymorphisms in the intron of the arginine-vasopressin receptor 1a (AVPR1a) gene and examined whether the association between the repeat lengths in the intron of AVPR1a is associated with trust and reciprocity in humans. Four-hundred and thirty-three participants played the trust game, answered the attitudinal trust question, and their buccal cells were collected. Results showed that men with a short form of AVPR1a tend to send more money to the opponent, even if there is a possibility of being betrayed by the opponent. Additionally, people with a short form of AVPR1a tended to return money to the opponent who trusts them. However, attitudinal trust was not associated with AVPR1a. These results indicate that arginine-vasopressin receptor 1a plays an important role in trust and reciprocal behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kuniyuki Nishina
- Graduate School of Brain Sciences, Tamagawa University, Tokyo, Japan
| | | | - Hidehiko Takahashi
- Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan
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16
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Genetic factors associated with empathy in humans and mice. Neuropharmacology 2019; 159:107514. [PMID: 30716414 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2019.01.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2018] [Revised: 01/24/2019] [Accepted: 01/25/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
The neurocognitive ability to recognize and share the mental states of others is crucial for our emotional experience and social interaction. Extensive human studies have informed our understanding of the psychobehavioral and neurochemical bases of empathy. Recent evidence shows that simple forms of empathy are conserved from rodents to humans, and rodent models have become particularly useful for understanding the neurobiological correlates of empathy. In this review, we first summarize aspects of empathy at the behavioral and neural circuit levels, and describe recent developments in rodent model behavioral paradigms. We then highlight different neurobiological pathways involved in empathic abilities, with special emphasis on genetic polymorphisms associated with individual differences in empathy. By directly assessing various neurochemical correlates at molecular and neural circuit levels using relevant animal models, we conclude with the suggestion that rodent research can significantly advance our understanding of the neural basis of empathy. This article is part of the Special Issue entitled 'The neuropharmacology of social behavior: from bench to bedside'.
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17
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Sadino JM, Donaldson ZR. Prairie Voles as a Model for Understanding the Genetic and Epigenetic Regulation of Attachment Behaviors. ACS Chem Neurosci 2018. [PMID: 29513516 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.7b00475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Over a lifetime, humans build relationships with family, friends, and partners that are critically important for our mental and physical health. Unlike commonly used laboratory mice and rats, Microtine rodents provide a unique model to study the neurobiology underlying pair bonding and the selective attachments that form between adults. Comparisons between monogamous prairie voles and the closely related but nonmonogamous meadow and montane voles have revealed that brain-region-specific neuropeptide receptor patterning modulates social behavior between and within species. In particular, diversity in vasopressin 1a receptor (V1aR) distribution has been linked to individual and species differences in monogamy-related behaviors such as partner preference, mate guarding, and space use. Given the importance of differential receptor expression for regulating social behavior, a critical question has emerged: What are the genetic and epigenetic mechanisms that underlie brain-region-specific receptor patterns? This review will summarize what is known about how the vasopressin (AVP)-V1aR axis regulates social behaviors via signaling in discrete brain regions. From this work, we propose that brain-region-specific regulatory mechanisms facilitate robust evolvability of V1aR expression to generate diverse sociobehavioral traits. Translationally, we provide a perspective on how these studies have contributed to our understanding of human social behaviors and how brain-region-specific regulatory mechanisms might be harnessed for targeted therapies to treat social deficits in psychiatric disorders such as depression, complicated grief, and autism spectrum disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie M. Sadino
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado 80309, United States
| | - Zoe R. Donaldson
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado 80309, United States
- Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado 80309, United States
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18
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Genetic and environmental contributions to children's prosocial behavior: brief review and new evidence from a reanalysis of experimental twin data. Curr Opin Psychol 2018; 20:60-65. [DOI: 10.1016/j.copsyc.2017.08.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2017] [Revised: 06/30/2017] [Accepted: 08/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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19
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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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20
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21
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Baribeau DA, Dupuis A, Paton TA, Scherer SW, Schachar RJ, Arnold PD, Szatmari P, Nicolson R, Georgiades S, Crosbie J, Brian J, Iaboni A, Lerch J, Anagnostou E. Oxytocin Receptor Polymorphisms are Differentially Associated with Social Abilities across Neurodevelopmental Disorders. Sci Rep 2017; 7:11618. [PMID: 28912494 PMCID: PMC5599599 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-10821-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2017] [Accepted: 08/15/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Oxytocin is a pituitary neuropeptide that affects social behaviour. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the oxytocin receptor gene (OXTR) have been shown to explain some variability in social abilities in control populations. Whether these variants similarly contribute to the severity of social deficits experienced by children with neurodevelopmental disorders is unclear. Social abilities were assessed in a group of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD, n = 341) or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD, n = 276) using two established social measures. Scores were compared by OXTR genotype (rs53576, rs237887, rs13316193, rs2254298). Unexpectedly, the two most frequently studied OXTR SNPs in the general population (rs53576 and rs2254298) were associated with an increased severity of social deficits in ASD (p < 0.0001 and p = 0.0005), yet fewer social deficits in ADHD (p = 0.007 and p < 0.0001). We conclude that these genetic modifier alleles are not inherently risk-conferring with respect to their impact on social abilities; molecular investigations are greatly needed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Annie Dupuis
- Department of Biostatistics Design and Analysis, The Hospital for Sick Children, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Tara A Paton
- The Centre for Applied Genomics, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Stephen W Scherer
- The Centre for Applied Genomics, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,The McLaughlin Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Russell J Schachar
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Paul D Arnold
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Departments of Psychiatry & Medical Genetics, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Peter Szatmari
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Rob Nicolson
- The Children's Health Research Institute and Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Stelios Georgiades
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Chedoke Hospital, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jennifer Crosbie
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jessica Brian
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Autism Research Centre, Bloorview Research Institute, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Alana Iaboni
- Autism Research Centre, Bloorview Research Institute, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jason Lerch
- Program in Neuroscience and Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Evdokia Anagnostou
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. .,Autism Research Centre, Bloorview Research Institute, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
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22
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Procyshyn TL, Hurd PL, Crespi BJ. Association testing of vasopressin receptor 1a microsatellite polymorphisms in non-clinical autism spectrum phenotypes. Autism Res 2016; 10:750-756. [PMID: 27874273 DOI: 10.1002/aur.1716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2015] [Revised: 08/19/2016] [Accepted: 09/27/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Variation in the AVPR1a gene, which codes for a receptor for the neurohormone vasopressin, has been found to relate to autism risk. Interestingly, variation in this gene also relates to differences in social behaviour in non-clinical populations. Variation in this gene may affect expression of AVPR1a receptors in brain areas involved in social behaviour. Here, we tested whether AVPR1a variation was associated with Autism Quotient (AQ) scores, a questionnaire that measures non-clinical manifestations of autism, in a population of 873 healthy university students. The AVPR1a RS1 and RS3 microsatellites were examined, and variants were categorized as "long" or "short". The RS3 long/long genotype was significantly associated with a higher AQ score (i.e., a more autistic-like phenotype) for the combined population and for females only. Further examination showed that this relationship was due to a specific RS3 variant, termed the "target allele", which previous research has linked to reduced altruism and increased marital problems in healthy individuals. We also observed that the relationship between RS3 genotype and AQ score was mainly due to the "attention switching" (the ability to shift attention from one task to another) component of the questionnaire; this ability is commonly impaired in autism spectrum disorders. Overall, our study establishes continuity between the existing AVPR1a research in clinical and non-clinical populations. Our results suggest that vasopressin may exert its effects on social behaviour in part by modulating attentional focus between social and non-social cues. Autism Res 2017, 10: 750-756. © 2016 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanya L Procyshyn
- Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, V5A 1S6, Canada
| | - Peter L Hurd
- Department of Psychology and Centre for Neuroscience, University of Alberta, Edmonton, T6G 2R3, Canada
| | - Bernard J Crespi
- Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, V5A 1S6, Canada
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23
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Leerkes EM, Su J, Calkins S, Henrich VC, Smolen A. Variation in mothers' arginine vasopressin receptor 1a and dopamine receptor D4 genes predicts maternal sensitivity via social cognition. GENES BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR 2016; 16:233-240. [PMID: 27581946 DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2016] [Revised: 08/09/2016] [Accepted: 08/29/2016] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
We examined the extent to which the arginine vasopressin receptor 1a (AVPR1a) and dopamine receptor D4 (DRD4) were related to sensitive maternal behavior directly or indirectly via maternal social cognition. Participants were 207 (105 European-American and 102 African-American) mothers and their children (52% females). Sensitive maternal behavior was rated and aggregated across a series of tasks when infants were 6 months, 1 year and 2 years old. At 6 months, mothers were interviewed about their empathy, attributions about infant behavior and beliefs about crying to assess their parenting-related social cognition. Mothers with long alleles for AVPR1a and DRD4 engaged in more mother-oriented social cognition (i.e. negative attributions and beliefs about their infants' crying, β = 0.13, P < 0.05 and β = 0.16, P < 0.05, respectively), which in turn predicted less sensitive maternal behavior (β = -0.23, P < 0.01). Both indirect effects were statistically significant independent of one another and covariates [95% confidence interval (CI): -0.22, -0.03 and β = -0.03 for AVPR; 95% CI: -0.20, -0.03 and β = -0.04 for DRD4]. There were no significant direct effects of AVPR1a or DRD4 on maternal sensitivity (β = 0.02, P = .73 and β = -0.10, P = .57, respectively). The results did not vary for African-American and European-American mothers (Δχ2 = 18.76, Δdf = 16, P = 0.28). Results support the view that one mechanism by which maternal genes are associated with parental behavior is via social cognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- E M Leerkes
- Human Development and Family Studies, The University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC
| | - J Su
- Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
| | - S Calkins
- Human Development and Family Studies, The University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC
| | - V C Henrich
- Center for Biotechnology, Genomics, and Health Research, The University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC
| | - A Smolen
- Institute for Behavioral Genetics, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA
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24
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Toumbourou JW. Beneficial Action within Altruistic and Prosocial Behavior. REVIEW OF GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY 2016. [DOI: 10.1037/gpr0000081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
This article integrates knowledge from health psychology, life course development, and social psychology to outline a theoretical framework for identifying, investigating, promoting, and evaluating beneficial action. Beneficial action is defined as a subset of prosocial (motivated to benefit others that may include self-interest) and altruistic (prosocial motivation without self-interest) behavior that uses consequential (scientific) knowledge to increase freedom within the global population. Beneficial action theory seeks to increase political and social actions that are planned and evaluated to ensure key tasks in human development. Central among these is the broadening of social identity to ensure that the human potential to use science to modify the natural environment achieves benefits for the global population. This article presents a theoretical framework for conceptualizing the psychological processes that underlie the development, application and evaluation of beneficial action for individuals and populations. The need to conceptualize beneficial action arises from 3 related observations. First, the certainty of knowledge of the beneficial outcome of a specific human action increases the moral motivation to engage in that action. For example, there is consensus among psychologists and other professions that it is unethical to engage in therapeutic practices that have evidence for neutral or harmful consequences. Second, due to the rapid increase in scientific knowledge, the range of human action that has scientifically ascertainable consequences is rapidly expanding. Third, advancing scientific knowledge means that human actions have increasingly powerful consequences for humanity and the natural world, warranting careful consideration of how to ensure global population benefits.
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25
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Trumble BC, Jaeggi AV, Gurven M. Evolving the neuroendocrine physiology of human and primate cooperation and collective action. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2016; 370:20150014. [PMID: 26503687 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2015.0014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
While many hormones play vital roles in facilitating or reinforcing cooperative behaviour, the neurohormones underlying competitive and cooperative behaviours are largely conserved across all mammals. This raises the question of how endocrine mechanisms have been shaped by selection to produce different levels of cooperation in different species. Multiple components of endocrine physiology--from baseline hormone concentrations, to binding proteins, to the receptor sensitivity and specificity--can evolve independently and be impacted by current socio-ecological conditions or individual status, thus potentially generating a wide range of variation within and between species. Here, we highlight several neurohormones and variation in hormone receptor genes associated with cooperation, focusing on the role of oxytocin and testosterone in contexts ranging from parenting and pair-bonding to reciprocity and territorial defence. While the studies reviewed herein describe the current state of the literature with regard to hormonal modulators of cooperation and collective action, there is still a paucity of research on hormonal mechanisms that help facilitate large-scale collective action. We end by discussing several potential areas for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin C Trumble
- Department of Anthropology, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
| | - Adrian V Jaeggi
- Department of Anthropology, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
| | - Michael Gurven
- Department of Anthropology, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
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26
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Bernhard RM, Chaponis J, Siburian R, Gallagher P, Ransohoff K, Wikler D, Perlis RH, Greene JD. Variation in the oxytocin receptor gene (OXTR) is associated with differences in moral judgment. Soc Cogn Affect Neurosci 2016; 11:1872-1881. [PMID: 27497314 PMCID: PMC5141955 DOI: 10.1093/scan/nsw103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2016] [Revised: 07/02/2016] [Accepted: 07/21/2016] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Moral judgments are produced through the coordinated interaction of multiple neural systems, each of which relies on a characteristic set of neurotransmitters. Genes that produce or regulate these neurotransmitters may have distinctive influences on moral judgment. Two studies examined potential genetic influences on moral judgment using dilemmas that reliably elicit competing automatic and controlled responses, generated by dissociable neural systems. Study 1 (N = 228) examined 49 common variants (SNPs) within 10 candidate genes and identified a nominal association between a polymorphism (rs237889) of the oxytocin receptor gene (OXTR) and variation in deontological vs utilitarian moral judgment (that is, judgments favoring individual rights vs the greater good). An association was likewise observed for rs1042615 of the arginine vasopressin receptor gene (AVPR1A). Study 2 (N = 322) aimed to replicate these findings using the aforementioned dilemmas as well as a new set of structurally similar medical dilemmas. Study 2 failed to replicate the association with AVPR1A, but replicated the OXTR finding using both the original and new dilemmas. Together, these findings suggest that moral judgment is influenced by variation in the oxytocin receptor gene and, more generally, that single genetic polymorphisms can have a detectable effect on complex decision processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Regan M Bernhard
- Department of Psychology, Harvard University, 02138, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Jonathan Chaponis
- Psychiatric and Neurodevelopmental Genetics Unit, Center for Human Genetics Research, Massachusetts General Hospital, 02114, Boston MA, USA
| | - Richie Siburian
- Psychiatric and Neurodevelopmental Genetics Unit, Center for Human Genetics Research, Massachusetts General Hospital, 02114, Boston MA, USA
| | - Patience Gallagher
- Psychiatric and Neurodevelopmental Genetics Unit, Center for Human Genetics Research, Massachusetts General Hospital, 02114, Boston MA, USA
| | | | - Daniel Wikler
- Department of Global Health and Population, Harvard School of Public Health, 02115, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Roy H Perlis
- Psychiatric and Neurodevelopmental Genetics Unit, Center for Human Genetics Research, Massachusetts General Hospital, 02114, Boston MA, USA.,Center for Experimental Drugs and Diagnostics, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 02114, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Joshua D Greene
- Department of Psychology, Harvard University, 02138, Cambridge, MA, USA
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Sivaselvachandran S, Acland EL, Abdallah S, Martin LJ. Behavioral and mechanistic insight into rodent empathy. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2016; 91:130-137. [PMID: 27311631 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2016.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2016] [Revised: 05/20/2016] [Accepted: 06/10/2016] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Empathy is a psychological construct that allows individuals to understand and share the emotions of others. The ability to share emotional states relies on basic social mechanisms, such as mimicry and emotional contagion, which are considered building blocks for empathy. Mimicking another's emotional or physical state is essential for successful social interactions and is found in a number of animal species. For the current review we focus on emotional state sharing in rodents, a core feature of empathy that is often measured using pain and fear as proxies; we also discuss prosociality in rodents. The evidence for empathy in rodents shows that rats and mice consistently imitate arousal states and behaviors of conspecifics and will even sacrifice personal gain to relieve the distress of a conspecific. These behaviors support basic processes that are crucial for the survival of individual animals and give us insight into the neural mechanisms that govern empathy-related behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Erinn L Acland
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, ON L5L 1C5 Canada
| | - Salsabil Abdallah
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, ON L5L 1C5 Canada
| | - Loren J Martin
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, ON L5L 1C5 Canada; Department of Cell Systems and Biology, University of Toronto Mississauga, ON L5L 1C5 Canada.
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Wang J, Qin W, Liu F, Liu B, Zhou Y, Jiang T, Yu C. Sex-specific mediation effect of the right fusiform face area volume on the association between variants in repeat length of AVPR1A RS3 and altruistic behavior in healthy adults. Hum Brain Mapp 2016; 37:2700-9. [PMID: 27027249 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.23203] [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: 07/21/2015] [Revised: 01/26/2016] [Accepted: 03/21/2016] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Microsatellite variants in the arginine vasopressin receptor 1A gene (AVPR1A) RS3 have been associated with normal social behaviors variation and autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) in a sex-specific manner. However, neural mechanisms underlying these associations remain largely unknown. We hypothesized that AVPR1A RS3 variants affect altruistic behavior by modulating the gray matter volume (GMV) of specific brain regions in a sex-specific manner. We investigated 278 young healthy adults using the Dictator Game to assess altruistic behavior. All subjects were genotyped and main effect of AVPR1A RS3 repeat polymorphisms and interaction of genotype-by-sex on the GMV were assessed in a voxel-wise manner. We observed that male subjects with relatively short repeats allocated less money to others and exhibited a significantly smaller GMV in the right fusiform face area (FFA) compared with male long homozygotes. In male subjects, the GMV of the right FFA exhibited a significant positive correlation with altruistic behavior. A mixed mediation and moderation analysis further revealed both a significant mediation effect of the GMV of the right FFA on the association between AVPR1A RS3 repeat polymorphisms and allocation sums and a significant moderation effect of sex (only in males) on the mediation effect. Post hoc analysis showed that the GMV of the right FFA was significantly smaller in male subjects carrying allele 426 than in non-426 carriers. These results suggest that the GMV of the right FFA may be a potential mediator whereby the genetic variants in AVPR1A RS3 affect altruistic behavior in healthy male subjects. Hum Brain Mapp 37:2700-2709, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junping Wang
- Department of Radiology and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Functional Imaging, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Wen Qin
- Department of Radiology and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Functional Imaging, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Feng Liu
- Department of Radiology and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Functional Imaging, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Bing Liu
- Brainnetome Center, Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,National Laboratory of Pattern Recognition, Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yuan Zhou
- Center for Social and Economic Behavior, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Tianzi Jiang
- Brainnetome Center, Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,National Laboratory of Pattern Recognition, Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Chunshui Yu
- Department of Radiology and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Functional Imaging, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
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29
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30
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Liu JJ, Lou F, Lavebratt C, Forsell Y. Impact of Childhood Adversity and Vasopressin receptor 1a Variation on Social Interaction in Adulthood: A Cross-Sectional Study. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0136436. [PMID: 26295806 PMCID: PMC4546684 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0136436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2015] [Accepted: 08/03/2015] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Arginine vasopressin (AVP) plays a role in social behavior, through receptor AVPR1A. The promoter polymorphism AVPR1A RS3 has been associated with human social behaviors, and with acute response to stress. Here, the relationships between AVPR1A RS3, early-life stressors, and social interaction in adulthood were explored. Methods Adult individuals from a Swedish population-based cohort (n = 1871) were assessed for self-reported availability of social integration and social attachment and for experience of childhood adversities. Their DNA samples were genotyped for the microsatellite AVPR1A RS3. Results Among males, particularly those homozygous for the long alleles of AVPR1A RS3 were vulnerable to childhood adversity for their social attachment in adulthood. A similar vulnerability to childhood adversity among long allele carriers was found on adulthood social integration, but here both males and females were influenced. Limitation Data were self-reported and childhood adversity data were retrospective. Conclusions Early-life stress influenced the relationship between AVPR1A genetic variants and social interaction. For social attachment, AVPR1A was of importance in males only. The findings add to previous reports on higher acute vulnerability to stress in persons with long AVPR1A RS3 alleles and increased AVP levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Jia Liu
- School of Nursing, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, China
- Neurogenetics Unit, Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Fenglan Lou
- School of Nursing, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, China
| | - Catharina Lavebratt
- Neurogenetics Unit, Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
- * E-mail:
| | - Yvonne Forsell
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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31
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Ben-Israel S, Uzefovsky F, Ebstein RP, Knafo-Noam A. Dopamine D4 receptor polymorphism and sex interact to predict children's affective knowledge. Front Psychol 2015; 6:846. [PMID: 26157401 PMCID: PMC4477057 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2015.00846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2014] [Accepted: 06/03/2015] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Affective knowledge, the ability to understand others' emotional states, is considered to be a fundamental part in efficient social interaction. Affective knowledge can be seen as related to cognitive empathy, and in the framework of theory of mind (ToM) as affective ToM. Previous studies found that cognitive empathy and ToM are heritable, yet little is known regarding the specific genes involved in individual variability in affective knowledge. Investigating the genetic basis of affective knowledge is important for understanding brain mechanisms underlying socio-cognitive abilities. The 7-repeat (7R) allele within the third exon of the dopamine D4 receptor gene (DRD4-III) has been a focus of interest, due to accumulated knowledge regarding its relevance to individual differences in social behavior. A recent study suggests that an interaction between the DRD4-III polymorphism and sex is associated with cognitive empathy among adults. We aimed to examine the same association in two childhood age groups. Children (N = 280, age 3.5 years, N = 283, age 5 years) participated as part of the Longitudinal Israel Study of Twins. Affective knowledge was assessed through children's responses to an illustrated story describing different emotional situations, told in a laboratory setting. The findings suggest a significant interaction between sex and the DRD4-III polymorphism, replicated in both age groups. Boy carriers of the 7R allele had higher affective knowledge scores than girls, whereas in the absence of the 7R there was no significant sex effect on affective knowledge. The results support the importance of DRD4-III polymorphism and sex differences to social development. Possible explanations for differences from adult findings are discussed, as are pathways for future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharon Ben-Israel
- Department of Psychology, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem Jerusalem, Israel ; Department of Psychology, Academic College of Tel Aviv-Yaffo Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Florina Uzefovsky
- Department of Psychology, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem Jerusalem, Israel ; Autism Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge Cambridge, UK
| | - Richard P Ebstein
- Department of Psychology, National University of Singapore Singapore, Singapore
| | - Ariel Knafo-Noam
- Department of Psychology, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem Jerusalem, Israel
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32
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Reuter M, Cooper AJ, Smillie LD, Markett S, Montag C. A new measure for the revised reinforcement sensitivity theory: psychometric criteria and genetic validation. Front Syst Neurosci 2015; 9:38. [PMID: 25852497 PMCID: PMC4360558 DOI: 10.3389/fnsys.2015.00038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2014] [Accepted: 02/23/2015] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Jeffrey Gray's Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory (RST) represents one of the most influential biologically-based personality theories describing individual differences in approach and avoidance tendencies. The most prominent self-report inventory to measure individual differences in approach and avoidance behavior to date is the BIS/BAS scale by Carver and White (1994). As Gray and McNaughton (2000) revised the RST after its initial formulation in the 1970/80s, and given the Carver and White measure is based on the initial conceptualization of RST, there is a growing need for self-report inventories measuring individual differences in the revised behavioral inhibition system (BIS), behavioral activation system (BAS) and the fight, flight, freezing system (FFFS). Therefore, in this paper we present a new questionnaire measuring individual differences in the revised constructs of the BIS, BAS and FFFS in N = 1814 participants (German sample). An English translated version of the new measure is also presented and tested in N = 299 English language participants. A large number of German participants (N = 1090) also filled in the BIS/BAS scales by Carver and White (1994) and the correlations between these measures are presented. Finally, this same subgroup of participants provided buccal swaps for the investigation of the arginine vasopressin receptor 1a (AVPR1a) gene. Here, a functional genetic polymorphism (rs11174811) on the AVPR1a gene was shown to be associated with individual differences in both the revised BIS and classic BIS dimensions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Reuter
- Department of Psychology, University of BonnBonn, Germany
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics, University of BonnBonn, Germany
- Center of Economics and Neuroscience, University of BonnBonn, Germany
| | - Andrew J. Cooper
- Department of Psychology, Goldsmiths, University of LondonLondon, UK
| | - Luke D. Smillie
- Melbounre School of Psychological Sciences, The University of MelbourneMelbourne, VIC, Australia
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33
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Golimbet V, Alfimova M, Abramova L, Kaleda V, Gritsenko I. Arginine vasopressin 1a receptor RS3 promoter microsatellites in schizophrenia: a study of the effect of the "risk" allele on clinical symptoms and facial affect recognition. Psychiatry Res 2015; 225:739-40. [PMID: 25529259 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2014.11.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2014] [Revised: 11/13/2014] [Accepted: 11/18/2014] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
We studied AVPR1A RS3 polymorphism in schizophrenic patients and controls. AVPR1A RS3 was not associated with schizophrenia. The allele 327bp implicated in autism and social behavior was associated with negative symptoms and tended to be linked to patient facial affect recognition suggesting its impact on schizophrenia social phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vera Golimbet
- Mental Health Research Center, Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, Kashirskoe sh. 34, Moscow 115522, Russia.
| | - Margarita Alfimova
- Mental Health Research Center, Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, Kashirskoe sh. 34, Moscow 115522, Russia
| | - Lilia Abramova
- Mental Health Research Center, Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, Kashirskoe sh. 34, Moscow 115522, Russia
| | - Vasily Kaleda
- Mental Health Research Center, Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, Kashirskoe sh. 34, Moscow 115522, Russia
| | - Inga Gritsenko
- Department of Psychology, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Herzog Memorial Hospital, Givat Shaul, P.O. Box 3900, Jerusalem 91035, Israel
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34
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Haas BW, Smith AK. Oxytocin, vasopressin, and Williams syndrome: epigenetic effects on abnormal social behavior. Front Genet 2015; 6:28. [PMID: 25741359 PMCID: PMC4330921 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2015.00028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2014] [Accepted: 01/20/2015] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Williams syndrome (WS) is a condition caused by a deletion of ∼26-28 genes on chromosome 7q11.23 often characterized by abnormal social behavior and disrupted oxytocin (OT) and vasopressin (AVP) functioning. The observation that individuals with WS exhibit OT and AVP dysregulation is compelling. There is currently a lack of evidence that any of the genes typically deleted in WS have any direct effect on either OT or AVP. In this perspective article, we present a novel epigenetic model describing how DNA methylation may impact the expression of key genes within the OT and AVP systems, which may ultimately influence the social behavior observed in WS. We draw support from data pooled from a prior empirical research study (Henrichsen et al., 2011), demonstrating that OXTR is overexpressed in WS. These preliminary findings may create new opportunities to target the OT and AVP systems with the specific goal of improving outcomes in WS and other psychiatric conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian W Haas
- Department of Psychology, University of Georgia , Athens, GA, USA ; Interdisciplinary Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Georgia , Athens, GA, USA
| | - Alicia K Smith
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, School of Medicine, Emory University , Atlanta, GA, USA
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35
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Tabak BA, Meyer ML, Castle E, Dutcher JM, Irwin MR, Han JH, Lieberman MD, Eisenberger NI. Vasopressin, but not oxytocin, increases empathic concern among individuals who received higher levels of paternal warmth: A randomized controlled trial. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2015; 51:253-61. [PMID: 25462898 PMCID: PMC4268337 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2014.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2014] [Revised: 10/07/2014] [Accepted: 10/07/2014] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Empathy improves our ability to communicate in social interactions and motivates prosocial behavior. The neuropeptides arginine vasopressin and oxytocin play key roles in socioemotional processes such as pair bonding and parental care, which suggests that they may be involved in empathic processing. METHODS We investigated how vasopressin and oxytocin affect empathic responding in a randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled, between-subjects study design. We also examined the moderating role of parental warmth, as reported in the early family environment, on empathic responding following vasopressin, oxytocin, or placebo administration. RESULTS Among participants who reported higher levels of paternal warmth (but not maternal warmth), vasopressin (vs. placebo and oxytocin) increased ratings of empathic concern after viewing distressing and uplifting videos. No main or interaction effects were found for individuals who received oxytocin. CONCLUSIONS Vasopressin has a role in enhancing empathy among individuals who received higher levels of paternal warmth. TRIAL REGISTRATION NCT01680718.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin A. Tabak
- Department of Psychology, University of California – Los Angeles, CA,Corresponding author: UCLA Department of Psychology, 1285 Franz Hall, Box 951563, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1563. Phone: (310) 825-2961,
| | - Meghan L. Meyer
- Department of Psychology, University of California – Los Angeles, CA
| | - Elizabeth Castle
- Department of Psychology, University of California – Los Angeles, CA
| | - Janine M. Dutcher
- Department of Psychology, University of California – Los Angeles, CA
| | - Michael R. Irwin
- Department of Psychology, University of California – Los Angeles, CA,Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California – Los Angeles, CA,Cousins Center for Psychoneuroimmunology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California – Los Angeles, CA,Semel Institute for Neuroscience, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California – Los Angeles, CA
| | - Jung H. Han
- Department of Psychology, University of California – Los Angeles, CA
| | - Matthew D. Lieberman
- Department of Psychology, University of California – Los Angeles, CA,Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California – Los Angeles, CA
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36
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Uzefovsky F, Shalev I, Israel S, Edelman S, Raz Y, Mankuta D, Knafo-Noam A, Ebstein RP. Oxytocin receptor and vasopressin receptor 1a genes are respectively associated with emotional and cognitive empathy. Horm Behav 2015; 67:60-5. [PMID: 25476609 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2014.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2014] [Revised: 10/28/2014] [Accepted: 11/08/2014] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Empathy is the ability to recognize and share in the emotions of others. It can be considered a multifaceted concept with cognitive and emotional aspects. Little is known regarding the underlying neurochemistry of empathy and in the current study we used a neurogenetic approach to explore possible brain neurotransmitter pathways contributing to cognitive and emotional empathy. Both the oxytocin receptor (OXTR) and the arginine vasopressin receptor 1a (AVPR1a) genes contribute to social cognition in both animals and humans and hence are prominent candidates for contributing to empathy. The following research examined the associations between polymorphisms in these two genes and individual differences in emotional and cognitive empathy in a sample of 367 young adults. Intriguingly, we found that emotional empathy was associated solely with OXTR, whereas cognitive empathy was associated solely with AVPR1a. Moreover, no interaction was observed between the two genes and measures of empathy. The current findings contribute to our understanding of the distinct neurogenetic pathways involved in cognitive and emotional empathy and underscore the pervasive role of both oxytocin and vasopressin in modulating human emotions.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Uzefovsky
- Psychology Department, Hebrew University, Jerusalem 91501, Israel; Autism Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom.
| | - I Shalev
- Department of Biobehavioral Health, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - S Israel
- Psychology Department, Hebrew University, Jerusalem 91501, Israel
| | - S Edelman
- Psychology Department, Hebrew University, Jerusalem 91501, Israel
| | - Y Raz
- Neurobiology, Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - D Mankuta
- Hadassah Medical Organization, Department of Labor and Delivery, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - A Knafo-Noam
- Psychology Department, Hebrew University, Jerusalem 91501, Israel
| | - R P Ebstein
- Psychology Department, National University of Singapore, Singapore
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37
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Oxytocin and vasopressin effects on the neural response to social cooperation are modulated by sex in humans. Brain Imaging Behav 2014; 9:754-64. [DOI: 10.1007/s11682-014-9333-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
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38
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Wade M, Hoffmann TJ, Jenkins JM. Association between the arginine vasopressin receptor 1A (AVPR1A) gene and preschoolers’ executive functioning. Brain Cogn 2014; 90:116-23. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bandc.2014.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2013] [Revised: 06/02/2014] [Accepted: 06/03/2014] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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39
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Castillo M. A call to action: maintain your happiness, be generous! AJNR Am J Neuroradiol 2014; 35:1447-8. [PMID: 24200902 DOI: 10.3174/ajnr.a3775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
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40
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Affiliation buffers stress: cumulative genetic risk in oxytocin-vasopressin genes combines with early caregiving to predict PTSD in war-exposed young children. Transl Psychiatry 2014; 4:e370. [PMID: 24618689 PMCID: PMC3966045 DOI: 10.1038/tp.2014.6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2013] [Revised: 12/19/2013] [Accepted: 01/06/2014] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Research indicates that risk for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is shaped by the interaction between genetic vulnerability and early caregiving experiences; yet, caregiving has typically been assessed by adult retrospective accounts. Here, we employed a prospective longitudinal design with real-time observations of early caregiving combined with assessment of genetic liability along the axis of vasopressin-oxytocin (OT) gene pathways to test G × E contributions to PTSD. Participants were 232 young Israeli children (1.5-5 years) and their parents, including 148 living in zones of continuous war and 84 controls. A cumulative genetic risk factor was computed for each family member by summing five risk alleles across three genes (OXTR, CD38 and AVPR1a) previously associated with psychopathology, sociality and caregiving. Child PTSD was diagnosed and mother-child interactions were observed in multiple contexts. In middle childhood (7-8 years), child psychopathology was re-evaluated. War exposure increased propensity to develop Axis-I disorder by threefold: 60% of exposed children displayed a psychiatric disorder by middle childhood and 62% of those showed several comorbid disorders. On the other hand, maternal sensitive support reduced risk for psychopathology. G × E effect was found for child genetic risk: in the context of war exposure, greater genetic risk on the vasopressin-OT pathway increased propensity for psychopathology. Among exposed children, chronicity of PTSD from early to middle childhood was related to higher child, maternal and paternal genetic risk, low maternal support and greater initial avoidance symptoms. Child avoidance was predicted by low maternal support and reduced mother-child reciprocity. These findings underscore the saliency of both genetic and behavioral facets of the human affiliation system in shaping vulnerability to PTSD as well as providing an underlying mechanism of post-traumatic resilience.
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41
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Kazantseva AV, Kutlumbetova YY, Malykh SB, Lobaskova MM, Khusnutdinova EK. Arginine-vasopressin receptor gene (AVPR1A, AVPR1B) polymorphisms and their relation to personality traits. RUSS J GENET+ 2014. [DOI: 10.1134/s1022795414030041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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42
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Abstract
William D. Hamilton postulated the existence of 'genes underlying altruism', under the rubric of inclusive fitness theory, a half-century ago. Such genes are now poised for discovery. In this article, we develop a set of intuitive criteria for the recognition and analysis of genes for altruism and describe the first candidate genes affecting altruism from social insects and humans. We also provide evidence from a human population for genetically based trade-offs, underlain by oxytocin-system polymorphisms, between alleles for altruism and alleles for non-social cognition. Such trade-offs between self-oriented and altruistic behaviour may influence the evolution of phenotypic diversity across all social animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Graham J Thompson
- Department of Biology, Western University, , 1151 Richmond St. North, London, Ontario, Canada , N6A 5B7
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43
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Van Hulle C, Zahn-Waxler C, Robinson JL, Rhee SH, Hastings PD, Knafo A. Autonomic correlates of children's concern and disregard for others. Soc Neurosci 2013; 8:275-90. [PMID: 23802120 DOI: 10.1080/17470919.2013.791342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Psychophysiological research on empathy and prosociality in children has focused most often on cardiac activity, heart rate (HR), and HR deceleration in particular. We examined these processes in 7-year-old children during two empathy mood inductions. We independently assessed children's responses to others' distress in two different contexts: structured probes (simulated pain) and maternal interviews. We identified three groups of children who showed either (1) concern for others in distress (i.e., empathy and prosocial behaviors), (2) active disregard (i.e., anger/hostility and antisocial behavior), or (3) passive disregard (i.e., little or no concern). We compared groups on HR and HR deceleration. The active disregard group consistently showed the lowest HR both when groups were based on structured probes and on mothers' reports. Children who showed passive disregard displayed little self-distress during other's distress and different patterns of association of self-distress and HR than the other two groups. Active and passive disregard thus may reflect two different aspects of lack of concern for others. HR deceleration was seen for all three groups, suggesting it is not necessarily a cardiac index of concern for others. Interdisciplinary approaches and multiple-systems analysis are needed to better understand psychobiological substrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carol Van Hulle
- Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
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44
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Vasopressin modulates neural responses related to emotional stimuli in the right amygdala. Brain Res 2013; 1499:29-42. [DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2013.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2012] [Revised: 12/17/2012] [Accepted: 01/06/2013] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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45
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The Longitudinal Israeli Study of Twins (LIST)—An Integrative View of Social Development. Twin Res Hum Genet 2012; 16:197-201. [DOI: 10.1017/thg.2012.73] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
The Longitudinal Israeli Study of Twins (LIST) is a social developmental study, which implements social-developmental, molecular genetic, epigenetic, and behavioral genetic methods to advance knowledge on the development of individual differences in social behavior. Twins are followed from the age of three and both observational and parental-questionnaire data are collected on their empathy, temperament, and pro-social behavior. The parenting styles of parents are also evaluated using self-reports and observations and DNA samples are collected from parents and twins. In the current paper, we provide a review of our recent work and discuss the future aims of the LIST.
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Avinun R, Ebstein RP, Knafo A. Human maternal behaviour is associated with arginine vasopressin receptor 1A gene. Biol Lett 2012; 8:894-6. [PMID: 22764113 DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2012.0492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Parenting is one of the main influences on children's early development, and yet its underlying genetic mechanisms have only recently begun to be explored, with many studies neglecting to control for possible child effects. This study focuses on maternal behaviour and on an allele at the RS3 promoter region of the arginine vasopressin receptor 1A (AVPR1A) gene, previously associated with autism and with higher amygdala activation in a face-matching task. Mothers were observed during a free-play session with each of their 3.5-year-old twins. Multilevel regression analyses revealed that mothers who are carriers of the AVPR1A RS3 allele tend to show less structuring and support throughout the interaction independent of the child's sex and RS3 genotype. This finding advances our understanding of the genetic influences on human maternal behaviour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reut Avinun
- Department of Psychology, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Mount Scopus, Jerusalem 91905, Israel
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Hopkins WD, Donaldson ZR, Young LJ. A polymorphic indel containing the RS3 microsatellite in the 5' flanking region of the vasopressin V1a receptor gene is associated with chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) personality. GENES BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR 2012; 11:552-8. [PMID: 22520444 DOI: 10.1111/j.1601-183x.2012.00799.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Vasopressin is a neuropeptide that has been strongly implicated in the development and evolution of complex social relations and cognition in mammals. Recent studies in voles have shown that polymorphic variation in the promoter region of the arginine vasopressin V1a receptor gene (avpr1a) is associated with different dimensions of sociality. In humans, variation in a repetitive sequence element in the 5' flanking region of the AVPR1A, known as RS3, have also been associated with variation in AVPR1a gene expression, brain activity and social behavior. Here, we examined the association of polymorphic variation in this same 5' flanking region of the AVPR1A on subjective ratings of personality in a sample of 83 chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes). Initial analyses indicated that 34 females and 19 males were homozygous for the short allele, which lacks RS3 (DupB(-/-)), while 18 females and 12 males were heterozygous and thus had one copy of the long allele containing RS3 (DupB(+/-)), yielding overall allelic frequencies of 0.82 for the DupB(-) allele and 0.18 for the DupB(+) allele. DupB(+/+) chimpanzees were excluded from the analysis because of the limited number of individuals. Results indicated no significant sex difference in personality between chimpanzees homozygous for the deletion of the RS3-containing DupB region (DupB(-/-)); however, among chimpanzees carrying one allele with the DupB present (DupB(+/-)), males had significantly higher dominance and lower conscientiousness scores than females. These findings are the first evidence showing that the AVPR1A gene plays a role in different aspects of personality in male and female chimpanzees.
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Affiliation(s)
- W D Hopkins
- Neuroscience Institute and Language Research Center, Georgia State University, Atlanta, 30302, USA.
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Ebstein RP, Knafo A, Mankuta D, Chew SH, Lai PS. The contributions of oxytocin and vasopressin pathway genes to human behavior. Horm Behav 2012; 61:359-79. [PMID: 22245314 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2011.12.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 181] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2011] [Revised: 12/20/2011] [Accepted: 12/21/2011] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Arginine vasopressin (AVP) and oxytocin (OXT) are social hormones and mediate affiliative behaviors in mammals and as recently demonstrated, also in humans. There is intense interest in how these simple nonapeptides mediate normal and abnormal behavior, especially regarding disorders of the social brain such as autism that are characterized by deficits in social communication and social skills. The current review examines in detail the behavioral genetics of the first level of human AVP-OXT pathway genes including arginine vasopressin 1a receptor (AVPR1a), oxytocin receptor (OXTR), AVP (AVP-neurophysin II [NPII]) and OXT (OXT neurophysin I [NPI]), oxytocinase/vasopressinase (LNPEP), ADP-ribosyl cyclase (CD38) and arginine vasopressin 1b receptor (AVPR1b). Wherever possible we discuss evidence from a variety of research tracks including molecular genetics, imaging genomics, pharmacology and endocrinology that support the conclusions drawn from association studies of social phenotypes and detail how common polymorphisms in AVP-OXT pathway genes contribute to the behavioral hard wiring that enables individual Homo sapiens to interact successfully with conspecifics. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled Oxytocin, Vasopressin, and Social Behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard P Ebstein
- Department of Psychology, National University of Singapore, Singapore.
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