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Koyama Y, Nawa N, Ochi M, Surkan PJ, Fujiwara T. Epistatic interactions between oxytocin- and dopamine-related genes and trust. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0308728. [PMID: 39298414 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0308728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2023] [Accepted: 07/29/2024] [Indexed: 09/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Trust is an essential human trait. Although research suggests that the interplay between oxytocinergic and dopaminergic systems affects trust formation, little research has focused on epistatic (i.e., gene by gene) interaction effects of oxytocin- and dopamine-related genes on trust. Using a sample of 348 adults (114 men), we aimed to investigate the associations between genetic variants in oxytocin- and dopamine-related genes and the general, neighborhood, and institutional trust with consideration of sex differences. Three-way interaction between oxytocin-related gene genotypes, dopamine-related genotypes, and sex was found for the oxytocin receptor gene (OXTR)rs1042778 and the Catechol-O-Methyltransferase gene (COMT) rs4680 genotypes (p = 0.02) and for OXTR rs2254298 and the dopamine D2 receptor gene (DRD2) rs1800497 genotypes (p = 0.01). Further sex-stratified analyses revealed that the interaction between OXTR rs1042778 and COMT rs4680 genotypes was associated with neighborhood trust among men (p = 0.0007). Also, the interaction between OXTR rs2254298 and DRD2 rs1800497 genotypes was associated with institutional trust among men (p = 0.005). Post-hoc analyses found that men with OXTR rs1042778 TG/TT and COMT rs4680 GG genotypes reported higher neighborhood trust than those with GG + AG/AA (B = 13.49, SE = 4.68, p = 0.02), TG/TT + AG/AA (B = 23.00, SE = 5.99, p = 0.001), and GG + GG (B = 18.53, SE = 5.25, p = 0.003). Similarly, men with OXTR rs2254298 AG/AA and DRD2 rs1800497 CC genotypes showed higher institutional trust than those with AG/AA + TT/TC (B = 15.67, SE = 5.30, p = 0.02). We could not find any interacting associations among women. While we note that our sample size and candidate gene approach have a potential risk of chance findings, our study provides an important foundation toward further exploration of sex-specific epistatic interaction effects of oxytocin- and dopamine-related genes on trust, indicating the importance of both systems in trust formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuna Koyama
- Department of Public Health, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Tokyo, Japan
| | - Nobutoshi Nawa
- Department of Public Health, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Tokyo, Japan
| | - Manami Ochi
- Department of Social Medicine, National Center for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Health and Welfare Services, National Institute of Public Health, Saitama, Japan
| | - Pamela J Surkan
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Takeo Fujiwara
- Department of Public Health, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Social Medicine, National Center for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
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Lv X, Hou YS, Zhang ZH, Yue WH. OXTR polymorphisms associated with severity and treatment responses of schizophrenia. SCHIZOPHRENIA (HEIDELBERG, GERMANY) 2024; 10:7. [PMID: 38184684 PMCID: PMC10851696 DOI: 10.1038/s41537-023-00413-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/08/2024]
Abstract
The mechanisms generating specific symptoms of schizophrenia remain unclear and genetic research makes it possible to explore these issues at a fundamental level. Taking into account the associations between the oxytocin system and social functions, which are apparently impaired in schizophrenia patients, we hypothesized that the oxytocin receptor gene (OXTR) might be associated with schizophrenia symptoms in both severity and responses to antipsychotics and did this exploratory positional study. A total of 2363 patients with schizophrenia (1181 males and 1182 females) included in our study were randomly allocated to seven antipsychotic treatment groups and received antipsychotic monotherapy for 6 weeks. Their blood DNA was genotyped for OXTR polymorphisms. Their symptom severity was assessed by Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), and the scores were transformed into seven factors (positive, disorganized, negative symptoms apathy/avolition, negative symptoms deficit of expression, hostility, anxiety and depression). Percentage changes in PANSS scores from baseline to week 6 were calculated to quantify antipsychotic responses. We found that OXTR polymorphisms were nominally associated with the severity of overall symptoms (rs237899, β = 1.669, p = 0.019), hostility symptoms (rs237899, β = 0.427, p = 0.044) and anxiety symptoms (rs13316193, β = -0.197, p = 0.038). As for treatment responses, OXTR polymorphisms were nominally associated with the improvement in negative symptoms apathy/avolition (rs2268490, β = 2.235, p = 0.0499). No association between severity or response to treatment and OXTR polymorphisms was found with statistical correction for multiplicity. Overall, our results highlighted the possibility of nominally significant associations of the OXTR gene with the severity and improvement in schizophrenia symptoms. Given the exploratory nature of this study, these associations are indicative of the role of the OXTR gene in the pathology of schizophrenia and may contribute to further elucidate the mechanism of specific symptoms of schizophrenia and to exploit antipsychotics more effective to specific symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue Lv
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical College, 453100, Xinxiang, Henan, China
| | - Yue-Sen Hou
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical College, 453100, Xinxiang, Henan, China
- Henan Key Laboratory of Neurorestoratology, 453199, Xinxiang, Henan, China
- Henan Engineering Research Center of Physical Diagnostics and Treatment Technology for the Mental and Neurological Diseases, 453005, Xinxiang, Henan, China
| | - Zhao-Hui Zhang
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical College, 453100, Xinxiang, Henan, China.
| | - Wei-Hua Yue
- Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University Institute of Mental Health, 100191, Beijing, China.
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Avgan N, Sutherland HG, Lea RA, Haupt LM, Shum DHK, Griffiths LR. Association Study of a Comprehensive Panel of Neuropeptide-Related Polymorphisms Suggest Potential Roles in Verbal Learning and Memory. Genes (Basel) 2023; 15:30. [PMID: 38254919 PMCID: PMC10815468 DOI: 10.3390/genes15010030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2023] [Revised: 12/16/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Neuropeptides are mostly expressed in regions of the brain responsible for learning and memory and are centrally involved in cognitive pathways. The majority of neuropeptide research has been performed in animal models; with acknowledged differences between species, more research into the role of neuropeptides in humans is necessary to understand their contribution to higher cognitive function. In this study, we investigated the influence of genetic polymorphisms in neuropeptide genes on verbal learning and memory. Variants in genes encoding neuropeptides and neuropeptide receptors were tested for association with learning and memory measures using the Hopkins Verbal Learning Test-Revised (HVLT-R) in a healthy cohort of individuals (n = 597). The HVLT-R is a widely used task for verbal learning and memory assessment and provides five sub-scores: recall, delay, learning, retention, and discrimination. To determine the effect of candidate variants on learning and memory performance, genetic association analyses were performed for each HVLT-R sub-score with over 1300 genetic variants from 124 neuropeptide and neuropeptide receptor genes, genotyped on Illumina OmniExpress BeadChip arrays. This targeted analysis revealed numerous suggestive associations between HVLT-R test scores and neuropeptide and neuropeptide receptor gene variants; candidates include the SCG5, IGFR1, GALR1, OXTR, CCK, and VIPR1 genes. Further characterization of these genes and their variants will improve our understanding of the genetic contribution to learning and memory and provide insight into the importance of the neuropeptide network in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nesli Avgan
- Genomics Research Centre, Centre for Genomics and Personalised Health, School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), 60 Musk Ave., Kelvin Grove, QLD 4059, Australia; (N.A.); (H.G.S.); (R.A.L.)
| | - Heidi G. Sutherland
- Genomics Research Centre, Centre for Genomics and Personalised Health, School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), 60 Musk Ave., Kelvin Grove, QLD 4059, Australia; (N.A.); (H.G.S.); (R.A.L.)
| | - Rod A. Lea
- Genomics Research Centre, Centre for Genomics and Personalised Health, School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), 60 Musk Ave., Kelvin Grove, QLD 4059, Australia; (N.A.); (H.G.S.); (R.A.L.)
| | - Larisa M. Haupt
- Stem Cell and Neurogenesis Group, Genomics Research Centre, Centre for Genomics and Personalised Health, School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), 60 Musk Ave., Kelvin Grove, QLD 4059, Australia;
- Centre for Biomedical Technologies, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), 60 Musk Ave., Kelvin Grove, QLD 4059, Australia
- ARC Training Centre for Cell and Tissue Engineering Technologies, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Kelvin Grove, QLD 4059, Australia
- Max Planck Queensland Centre for the Materials Science of Extracellular Matrices, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Kelvin Grove, QLD 4059, Australia
| | - David H. K. Shum
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China;
| | - Lyn R. Griffiths
- Genomics Research Centre, Centre for Genomics and Personalised Health, School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), 60 Musk Ave., Kelvin Grove, QLD 4059, Australia; (N.A.); (H.G.S.); (R.A.L.)
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Delikishkina E, Cohen-Zimerman S, Kachian ZR, Krueger F, Gordon B, Grafman J. Understanding altruistic behavior: The joint role of prefrontal damage and OXTR genotype. Neuropsychologia 2023; 190:108686. [PMID: 37741549 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2023.108686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2023] [Revised: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 09/25/2023]
Abstract
Altruism is a type of prosocial behavior that is carried out in the absence of personal benefit or even at an expense to self. Trait altruism varies greatly across individuals, and the reasons for this variability are still not fully understood. Growing evidence suggests that altruism may be partly determined by the oxytocin receptor (OXTR) gene, which regulates the emotions underlying altruistic attitudes, such as empathy and trust. Neuroimaging and lesion studies have also implied several higher-order brain regions, including the prefrontal cortex, in altruistic behaviors. Yet the existing reports are contradictory and suggest that the top-down control exercised by the prefrontal cortex may promote both altruistic and self-interested behaviors and, thus, could obscure one's natural proclivity towards altruism encoded by OXTR. Here, we hypothesized that extensive prefrontal damage would result in an increased influence of the OXTR genotype on one's altruistic attitudes and actions. To test this hypothesis, we recruited 115 male combat veterans with penetrating traumatic brain injury to the prefrontal cortex and other brain regions, as well as 35 demographically matched control subjects without brain injury. Participants completed a self-report altruism questionnaire and were genotyped for four OXTR single nucleotide polymorphisms implicated in prosocial behavior, including rs53576, rs1042778, rs2254298 and rs7632287. Consistent with the previous studies, we found that individuals homozygotic for the G allele of rs53576 and rs7632287 were significantly more altruistic than carriers of at least one "vulnerable" A allele. Remarkably, in patients with prefrontal cortex damage, greater lesion extent was associated with significantly lower altruism scores in carriers of the A allele of rs7632287, but not in G-homozygotes, suggesting that significant disruption of the prefrontal cortex increased the influence of genetic polymorphisms on prosocial behavior. This study presents the first account of an interaction effect between the OXTR genotype and the location and extent of brain damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ekaterina Delikishkina
- Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory, Brain Injury Research, Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA; Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA.
| | - Shira Cohen-Zimerman
- Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory, Brain Injury Research, Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA; Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Zachary R Kachian
- Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory, Brain Injury Research, Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Frank Krueger
- School of Systems Biology, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, 22030, USA; Department of Psychology, University of Mannheim, Mannheim, 68161, Germany
| | - Barry Gordon
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA; Department of Cognitive Science, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA
| | - Jordan Grafman
- Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory, Brain Injury Research, Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA; Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA; Departments of Neurology, Psychiatry, and Cognitive Neurology & Alzheimer's Disease Center, Feinberg School of Medicine, Department of Psychology, Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
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Olazábal DE, Bertoni B, Grandi G, Musetti D, Rey G, Sandberg N, Fernández L, Laporte G, Medici F, Nicolaisen-Sobesky E. Oxytocin system polymorphisms rs237887 and rs2740210 variants increase the risk of depression in pregnant women with early abuse. Dev Psychobiol 2023; 65:e22400. [PMID: 37338248 DOI: 10.1002/dev.22400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Revised: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023]
Abstract
Prepartum depression is associated with early adversity, pregnancy complications, preterm delivery, postpartum depression, and long-term effects on child neurodevelopment. The oxytocin (OXT) system is affected by early adverse experiences and has been associated with depression. In the current study, we investigated risk factors for prenatal depressive symptoms, mainly the effects of early childhood and adolescence trauma, in combination with the presence of certain variants of polymorphisms of OXT and OXT receptor (OXTR) genes. We hypothesized that early childhood and adolescence trauma has higher negative effects in carriers of genetic variants of the OXT/OXTR system, increasing their risk for depression. Early in pregnancy (8-14 weeks), 141 pregnant women from a Uruguayan population were asked to provide DNA samples and complete questionnaires that assessed their experience of child abuse, depression symptoms, and other variables that included demographic information. Our results showed that 23.5% of pregnant women had depressive symptoms. Several OXT and OXTR genetic variants were associated with higher risk of prepartum depression only in those pregnant women who suffered emotional abuse during infancy or adolescence. Logistic regression (Nagelkerke's R2 = .33) revealed that women who suffered early abuse and were carriers of the variants CC of rs2740210 (OXT) or AA of rs237887 (OXTR) had significantly higher risk of experiencing depressive symptoms. Antecedents of psychiatric disorders also contributed to the risk of depression. We conclude that emotional abuse contributes to the risk of depression in different ways in women carrying different OXT and OXTR genetic variants. Early detection and closer follow-up of women with child abuse and certain OXT genetic variants, among other risk factors, could reduce the long-term impact of prepartum depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Ernesto Olazábal
- Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Bernardo Bertoni
- Departamento de Genética, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | | | - Dora Musetti
- Asociación de Psicopatología y Psiquiatría de la Infancia y la Adolescencia, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Grazzia Rey
- Hospital de Clínicas Manuel Quintela, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Natalia Sandberg
- Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Lucia Fernández
- Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | | | | | - Eliana Nicolaisen-Sobesky
- Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
- Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine (INM-7: Brain and Behaviour), Research Centre Jülich, Jülich, Germany
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6
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Ersig AL, Young EE, Brown RL, Malecki K. Genetic Variation, Stress, and Physiological Stress Response in Adults With Food Allergy or Celiac Disease. Biol Res Nurs 2023; 25:300-309. [PMID: 36280595 DOI: 10.1177/10998004221134826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Persistently high chronic stress can lead to maladaptive psychological, behavioral, and physiological stress responses and poor mental and physical health, highlighting the importance of identifying individuals at increased risk. Chronic health condition diagnosis and genetics are 2 characteristics that can influence stress, stress response, and health outcomes. PURPOSE Food allergy (FA) and celiac disease (CD) require constant vigilance in daily life and can lead to increased stress. The purpose of this exploratory analysis was to examine the association of variants in selected stress-related genes with stress exposures, stress, clinical measures of physiological stress response, and mental health symptoms in adults with and without FA or CD. METHODS We compared stress exposures, symptoms of PTSD, depression, anxiety, and stress, BMI, and waist-hip ratio between cases and controls. We analyzed the association of SNPs in genes with known or hypothesized associations with stress-related measures in 124 cases and 124 matched controls: CRHBP (rs7718461, rs10474485), CRHR1 (rs242940) and OXTR (rs2268490). For this exploratory study, p-values ≤ 0.10 were considered suggestive. RESULTS For cases and controls, rs7718461 was associated with stress symptoms, rs2268490 with symptoms of stress and PTSD, and rs242940 with symptoms of stress, PTSD, anxiety, and depression. Further analyses found that stress-related outcomes in individuals with FA or CD may be influenced by SNP genotype. CONCLUSIONS Given these suggestive findings, larger prospective studies should examine similar relationships in individuals with other chronic health conditions, incorporating factors such as environmental exposures, individual experiences, and epigenetic modifications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne L Ersig
- 5228University of Wisconsin-Madison, School of Nursing, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Erin E Young
- 12251University of Kansas School of Medicine, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | - Roger L Brown
- 5228University of Wisconsin-Madison, School of Nursing, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Kristen Malecki
- Division of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, School of Public Health, 14681University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
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7
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Neuroimaging genetics of oxytocin: A transcriptomics-informed systematic review. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2022; 142:104912. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Revised: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 10/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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8
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Levinson SC. The interaction engine: cuteness selection and the evolution of the interactional base for language. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2022; 377:20210108. [PMID: 35876196 PMCID: PMC9310178 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2021.0108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2021] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The deep structural diversity of languages suggests that our language capacities are not based on any single template but rather on an underlying ability and motivation for infants to acquire a culturally transmitted system. The hypothesis is that this ability has an interactional base that has discernable precursors in other primates. In this paper, I explore a specific evolutionary route for the most puzzling aspect of this interactional base in humans, namely the development of an empathetic intentional stance. The route involves a generalization of mother-infant interaction patterns to all adults via a process (cuteness selection) analogous to, but distinct from, RA Fisher's runaway sexual selection. This provides a cornerstone for the carrying capacity for language. This article is part of the theme issue 'Revisiting the human 'interaction engine': comparative approaches to social action coordination'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen C. Levinson
- Language and Cognition, Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics, Nijmegen, Gelderland, The Netherlands
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Shima T, Jesmin S, Onishi H, Yoshikawa T, Saitoh R. Physical activity associates empathy in Japanese young adults with specific gene variations of oxytocin receptor and vasopressin V1B receptor. Physiol Behav 2022; 255:113930. [PMID: 35905808 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2022.113930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2022] [Revised: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 07/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Empathy, consisting of cognitive empathy and affective empathy, is essential for creating relationships with others. Since the genetic polymorphism of oxytocin receptor (OXTR) and arginine-vasopressin V1B receptor (AVPR1B) relate to prosocial behavior and empathy, it would need to innovate strategies for treating human empathy by considering individual genetic variations. Physical activity is expected as a possible strategy; here, we investigated the influences of genetic polymorphisms in OXTR SNP rs53576 and AVPR1B SNP rs28373064, on the relationships of self-reported empathy with physical activity. METHODS The saliva is collected from a hundred Japanese college students for determining the individual polymorphism of OXTR SNP rs53576 (AA, AG, or GG genotype) and AVPR1B SNP rs28373064 (TT, TC, or CC genotype). In addition, the participants' self-reported cognitive and affective empathy, amounts of physical activity, and sitting time were evaluated with questionaries. RESULTS The participants with OXTR SNP rs53576 GG genotype showed a significant negative correlation between sitting time and cognitive empathy adjusted by age, gender, and sports experience. Further, there was a trend to correlate between physical activity amounts and cognitive empathy in the participants carrying the G variant in OXTR SNP rs53576 (AG or GG). As for AVPR1B SNP rs28373064, the persons with TT genotype exhibited a negative correlation trend between sitting time and cognitive empathy. CONCLUSIONS There are possible correlations between the self-reported cognitive empathy and physical activity amounts in the persons carrying the G variant of OXTR rs53576 or with the TT genotype for AVPR1B SNP rs28373064.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takeru Shima
- Department of Health and Physical Education, Cooperative Faculty of Education, Gunma University, 4-2 Aramaki-machi, Maebashi, Gunma 371-8510, Japan.
| | - Subrina Jesmin
- Faculty of Medicine, Toho University Graduate School of Medicine, 5-21-16 Omorinishi, Ota-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hayate Onishi
- Department of Health and Physical Education, Cooperative Faculty of Education, Gunma University, 4-2 Aramaki-machi, Maebashi, Gunma 371-8510, Japan
| | - Tomonori Yoshikawa
- Department of Health and Physical Education, Cooperative Faculty of Education, Gunma University, 4-2 Aramaki-machi, Maebashi, Gunma 371-8510, Japan
| | - Rikako Saitoh
- Department of Health and Physical Education, Cooperative Faculty of Education, Gunma University, 4-2 Aramaki-machi, Maebashi, Gunma 371-8510, Japan
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10
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A neuroscience-based model of why and when CEO social values affect investments in corporate social responsibility. THE LEADERSHIP QUARTERLY 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.leaqua.2020.101386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Altered Cerebral Curvature in Preterm Infants Is Associated with the Common Genetic Variation Related to Autism Spectrum Disorder and Lipid Metabolism. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11113135. [PMID: 35683524 PMCID: PMC9181724 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11113135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2022] [Revised: 05/26/2022] [Accepted: 05/28/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Preterm births are often associated with neurodevelopmental impairment. In the critical developmental period of the fetal brain, preterm birth disrupts cortical maturation. Notably, preterm birth leads to alterations in the fronto-striatal and temporal lobes and the limbic region. Recent advances in MRI acquisition and analysis methods have revealed an integrated approach to the genetic influence on brain structure. Based on imaging studies, we hypothesized that the altered cortical structure observed after preterm birth is associated with common genetic variations. We found that the presence of the minor allele at rs1042778 in OXTR was associated with reduced curvature in the right medial orbitofrontal gyrus (p < 0.001). The presence of the minor allele at rs174576 in FADS2 (p < 0.001) or rs740603 in COMT (p < 0.001) was related to reduced curvature in the left posterior cingulate gyrus. This study provides biological insight into altered cortical curvature at term-equivalent age, suggesting that the common genetic variations related to autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and lipid metabolism may mediate vulnerability to early cortical dysmaturation in preterm infants.
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Sobral M, Pacheco F, Perry B, Antunes J, Martins S, Guiomar R, Soares I, Sampaio A, Mesquita A, Ganho-Ávila A. Neurobiological Correlates of Fatherhood During the Postpartum Period: A Scoping Review. Front Psychol 2022; 13:745767. [PMID: 35185716 PMCID: PMC8850250 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.745767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
During the postpartum period, the paternal brain suffers extensive and complex neurobiological alterations, through the experience of father-infant interactions. Although the impact of such experience in the mother has been increasingly studied over the past years, less is known about the neurobiological correlates of fatherhood-that is, the alterations in the brain and other physiological systems associated with the experience of fatherhood. With the present study, we aimed to perform a scoping review of the available literature on the genetic, neuroendocrine, and brain correlates of fatherhood and identify the main gaps in the current knowledge. PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science electronic databases were searched for eligible studies on paternal neuroplasticity during the postpartum period, over the past 15 years. Reference lists of relevant key studies and reviews were also hand-searched. The research team independently screened the identified studies based on the established inclusion criteria. Extracted data were analyzed using tables and descriptive synthesis. Among the 29 studies that met our inclusion criteria, the vast majority pertained to neuroendocrine correlates of fatherhood (n = 19), followed by brain activity or connectivity (n = 7), association studies of candidate genes (n = 2), and brain structure correlates (n = 1). Collectively, studies published during the past 15 years suggest the existence of significant endocrine (testosterone, oxytocin, prolactin, and cortisol levels) and neurofunctional alterations (changed activity in several brain networks related to empathy and approach motivation, emotional processing and mentalizing, emotion regulation, dorsal attention, and default mode networks) as a result of fatherhood, as well as preliminary evidence of genetic variability accounting for individual differences during the postpartum period in fathers. No studies were so far published evaluating epigenetic mechanisms associated with the paternal brain, something that was also the focus of the current review. We highlight the need for further research that examines neuroplasticity during the experience of fatherhood and that considers both the interplay between hormones and simultaneous assessment of the different biomarkers (e.g., associations between hormones and neural activity); data collection protocols and assessment times should also be refined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mónica Sobral
- Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Center for Research in Neuropsychology and Cognitive Behavioral Intervention, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Francisca Pacheco
- Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Center for Research in Neuropsychology and Cognitive Behavioral Intervention, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Beatriz Perry
- Psychology Research Centre (CIPsi), School of Psychology, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
| | - Joana Antunes
- Psychology Research Centre (CIPsi), School of Psychology, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
| | - Sara Martins
- Psychology Research Centre (CIPsi), School of Psychology, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
| | - Raquel Guiomar
- Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Center for Research in Neuropsychology and Cognitive Behavioral Intervention, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Isabel Soares
- Psychology Research Centre (CIPsi), School of Psychology, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
| | - Adriana Sampaio
- Psychology Research Centre (CIPsi), School of Psychology, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
| | - Ana Mesquita
- Psychology Research Centre (CIPsi), School of Psychology, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
| | - Ana Ganho-Ávila
- Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Center for Research in Neuropsychology and Cognitive Behavioral Intervention, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
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13
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Wang X, Auyeung B, Pan N, Lin LZ, Chen Q, Chen JJ, Liu SY, Dai MX, Gong JH, Li XH, Jing J. Empathy, Theory of Mind, and Prosocial Behaviors in Autistic Children. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:844578. [PMID: 35401285 PMCID: PMC8990907 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.844578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2021] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous research has suggested that children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) display fewer prosocial behaviors, and the role of empathy or Theory of Mind (ToM) in prosocial behaviors of autistic children remains unclear. METHODS Data were obtained from an ongoing longitudinal study in Guangzhou, China. A total of 96 autistic children and 167 typically developing (TD) children were enrolled. Prosocial behaviors were assessed using a subscale of the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire and Dictator Game (DG) paradigm with stickers as incentives. Empathic traits and ToM ability were measured using the children's Empathy Quotient and the Chinese version of ToM toolkit. Generalized linear models were used to assess the differences of prosocial behaviors and empathic traits, ToM ability between the two groups and the associations between empathic traits, ToM ability and prosocial behaviors in autistic children. RESULTS Compared with TD children, autistic children exhibited worse ToM ability and performed less pro-socially in the DG paradigm, while there were no differences regarding empathic traits. In autistic children, empathic traits especially affective empathy, were positively associated with parent-reported prosocial behaviors [β = 0.17, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.07-0.27; β = 0.47, 95%CI: 0.33-0.60]. ToM ability was associated with DG paradigm (β = 1.03, 95%CI: 0.16-1.89). CONCLUSION Autistic children showed less pro-sociality and ToM ability than TD children. In autistic children, empathic trait was associated with parent-reported prosocial behaviors while their ToM ability was associated with prosocial behaviors in experimental condition. Our findings indicated that better ToM ability and empathic trait might promote prosocial behaviors in autistic children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Wang
- Department of Maternal and Child Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Bonnie Auyeung
- Department of Psychology, School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.,Autism Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Ning Pan
- Department of Maternal and Child Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Li-Zi Lin
- Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Environmental Pollution and Health Risk Assessment, Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qian Chen
- Department of Maternal and Child Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jia-Jie Chen
- Department of Maternal and Child Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Si-Yu Liu
- Department of Maternal and Child Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Mei-Xia Dai
- Department of Children's Healthcare and Mental Health Center, Shenzhen Children's Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jian-Hua Gong
- Maternity and Children Health Care Hospital of Luohu District, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xiu-Hong Li
- Department of Maternal and Child Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jin Jing
- Department of Maternal and Child Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
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14
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Abstract
The oxytocin receptor plays a significant role in peripheral regulation of parturition and lactation. Given this important role, multiple drug discovery programs have been conducted to develop agonists and antagonists for peripheral activity. The role of the oxytocin receptor in the central nervous system is also significant, promoting social interaction, trust, and empathy in humans. As such, molecules that can access the central nervous system and target the oxytocin receptor are of significant interest. Due to the role of the oxytocin receptor in regulating social function and psychological well-being, agonists of this receptor have considerable promise for the treatment of numerous neuropsychiatric conditions. The poor pharmacokinetic properties and blood-brain barrier penetration of peptide-based molecules means nonpeptide compounds have more commonly been the focus for central nervous system activity. This chapter aims to summarize the current standing of peptide and nonpeptide drug discovery for antagonists and agonists of the oxytocin receptor and focusses on centrally active nonpeptidic agonists.
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15
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Shilovsky GA, Putyatina TS, Markov AV. Altruism and Phenoptosis as Programs Supported by Evolution. BIOCHEMISTRY. BIOKHIMIIA 2021; 86:1540-1552. [PMID: 34937533 PMCID: PMC8678581 DOI: 10.1134/s0006297921120038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Revised: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 09/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Phenoptosis is a programmed death that has emerged in the process of evolution, sometimes taking the form of an altruistic program. In particular, it is believed to be a weapon against the spread of pandemics in the past and an obstacle in fighting pandemics in the present (COVID). However, on the evolutionary scale, deterministic death is not associated with random relationships (for example, bacteria with a particular mutation), but is a product of higher nervous activity or a consequence of established hierarchy that reaches its maximal expression in eusocial communities of Hymenoptera and highly social communities of mammals. Unlike a simple association of individuals, eusociality is characterized by the appearance of non-reproductive individuals as the highest form of altruism. In contrast to primitive programs for unicellular organisms, higher multicellular organisms are characterized by the development of behavior-based phenoptotic programs, especially in the case of reproduction-associated limitation of lifespan. Therefore, we can say that the development of altruism in the course of evolution of sociality leads in its extreme manifestation to phenoptosis. Development of mathematical models for the emergence of altruism and programmed death contributes to our understanding of mechanisms underlying these paradoxical counterproductive (harmful) programs. In theory, this model can be applied not only to insects, but also to other social animals and even to the human society. Adaptive death is an extreme form of altruism. We consider altruism and programmed death as programmed processes in the mechanistic and adaptive sense, respectively. Mechanistically, this is a program existing as a predetermined chain of certain responses, regardless of its adaptive value. As to its adaptive value (regardless of the degree of "phenoptoticity"), this is a characteristic of organisms that demonstrate high levels of kinship, social organization, and physical association typical for higher-order individuals, e.g., unicellular organisms forming colonies with some characteristics of multicellular animals or colonies of multicellular animals displaying features of supraorganisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory A Shilovsky
- Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, 119991, Russia.
- Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, 119234, Russia
- Institute for Information Transmission Problems, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 127051, Russia
| | - Tatyana S Putyatina
- Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, 119234, Russia
| | - Alexander V Markov
- Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, 119234, Russia
- Borissiak Paleontological Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 117997, Russia
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16
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Buser T, Cappelen A, Gneezy U, Hoffman M, Tungodden B. Competitiveness, gender and handedness. ECONOMICS AND HUMAN BIOLOGY 2021; 43:101037. [PMID: 34242902 DOI: 10.1016/j.ehb.2021.101037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2021] [Revised: 06/23/2021] [Accepted: 06/25/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
We conduct an intercultural experiment in three locations on three different continents to elicit competitiveness and study whether individual differences in competitiveness are related to handedness. Being a "lefty" (i.e., having either a dominant left hand or a dominant left foot) is associated with neurological differences which are determined prenatally, and can therefore be seen as a proxy for innate differences. In large-scale data with incentivized choices from 3664 participants from India, Norway and Tanzania, we find a significant gender gap in competitiveness in all cultures. However, we find inconsistent results when comparing the competitiveness of lefties and righties. In north-east India we find that lefties of both genders are significantly more competitive than righties. In Norway we find that lefty men are more competitive than any other group, but women's competitiveness is not related to handedness. In Tanzania, we find no relationship between handedness and the competitiveness of either gender. The merged data show weak evidence of a positive correlation between being a lefty and competitiveness for men, but no such evidence for women. Thus, our data provide suggestive but not robust evidence that individual and gender differences in competitiveness are partially determined by innate factors, where innate factors are proxied by the complex, prenatally shaped trait of handedness.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Uri Gneezy
- Rady School of Management, UCSD, United States
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17
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Onaka T, Takayanagi Y. The oxytocin system and early-life experience-dependent plastic changes. J Neuroendocrinol 2021; 33:e13049. [PMID: 34713517 PMCID: PMC9286573 DOI: 10.1111/jne.13049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2021] [Revised: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Early-life experience influences social and emotional behaviour in adulthood. Affiliative tactile stimuli in early life facilitate the development of social and emotional behaviour, whereas early-life adverse stimuli have been shown to increase the risk of various diseases in later life. On the other hand, oxytocin has been shown to have organizational actions during early-life stages. However, the detailed mechanisms of the effects of early-life experience and oxytocin remain unclear. Here, we review the effects of affiliative tactile stimuli during the neonatal period and neonatal oxytocin treatment on the activity of the oxytocin-oxytocin receptor system and social or emotional behaviour in adulthood. Both affiliative tactile stimuli and early-life adverse stimuli in the neonatal period acutely activate the oxytocin-oxytocin receptor system in the brain but modulate social behaviour and anxiety-related behaviour apparently in an opposite direction in adulthood. Accumulating evidence suggests that affiliative tactile stimuli and exogenous application of oxytocin in early-life stages induce higher activity of the oxytocin-oxytocin receptor system in adulthood, although the effects are dependent on experimental procedures, sex, dosages and brain regions examined. On the other hand, early-life stressful stimuli appear to induce reduced activity of the oxytocin-oxytocin receptor system, possibly leading to adverse actions in adulthood. It is possible that activation of a specific oxytocin system can induce beneficial actions against early-life maltreatments and thus could be used for the treatment of developmental psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatsushi Onaka
- Division of Brain and NeurophysiologyDepartment of PhysiologyJichi Medical UniversityTochigiJapan
| | - Yuki Takayanagi
- Division of Brain and NeurophysiologyDepartment of PhysiologyJichi Medical UniversityTochigiJapan
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18
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Byrd AL, Tung I, Manuck SD, Vine V, Horner M, Hipwell AE, Stepp SD. An interaction between early threat exposure and the oxytocin receptor in females: Disorder-specific versus general risk for psychopathology and social-emotional mediators. Dev Psychopathol 2021; 33:1248-1263. [PMID: 32693857 PMCID: PMC7934270 DOI: 10.1017/s0954579420000462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Early threat exposure is a transdiagnostic risk factor for psychopathology, and evidence suggests that genetic variation in the oxytocin receptor (OXTR) moderates this association. However, it is unclear if this gene-by-environment (G×E) interaction is tied to unique risk for disorder-specific outcomes or instead increases shared risk for general psychopathology. Moreover, little is known about how this G×E interaction increases risk. The current study utilized a prospective, longitudinal sample of females (n = 2,020) to examine: (a) whether the interaction between early threat exposure and OXTR variation (rs53576, rs2254298) confers risk for disorder-specific outcomes (depression, anxiety, borderline and antisocial personality disorders) and/or general psychopathology in early adulthood; and (b) whether social-emotional deficits (emotion dysregulation, callousness, attachment quality) during adolescence constitute mediating mechanisms. Consistent with hypotheses, the interactive effects of early threat exposure and OXTR variation (rs53576) predicted general psychopathology, with threat-exposed women carrying at least one copy of the rs53576 A-allele at greatest risk. This interaction was mediated via emotional dysregulation in adolescence, with threat-exposed A-allele carriers demonstrating greater emotion dysregulation, and greater emotion dysregulation predicting general psychopathology in early adulthood. Findings suggest that this G×E places women at risk for a broad range of psychopathology via effects on emotion dysregulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy L. Byrd
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Irene Tung
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Stephen D. Manuck
- Department of Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Vera Vine
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Michelle Horner
- Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Alison E. Hipwell
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Stephanie D. Stepp
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
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19
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Leszkowicz E, Maio GR, Linden DEJ, Ihssen N. Neural coding of human values is underpinned by brain areas representing the core self in the cortical midline region. Soc Neurosci 2021; 16:486-499. [PMID: 34238118 DOI: 10.1080/17470919.2021.1953582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
The impact of human values on our choices depends on their nature. Self-Transcendence values motivate us to act for the benefit of others and care for the environment. Self-Enhancement values motivate us to act for our benefit. The present study examines differences in the neural processes underlying these two value domains. Extending our previous research, we used fMRI to explore first of all neural correlates of Self-Transcendence vs Self-Enhancement values, with a particular focus on the putative role of the medial prefrontal cortex (MPFC), which has been linked to a self-transcendent mind-set. Additionally, we investigated the neural basis of Openness to Change vs Conservation values. We asked participants to reflect on and rate values as guiding principles in their lives while undergoing fMRI. Mental processing of Self-Transcendence values was associated with higher brain activity in the dorsomedial (BA9, BA8) and ventromedial (BA10) prefrontal cortices, as compared to Self-Enhancement values. The former involved activation and the latter deactivation of those regions. We did not detect differences in brain activation between Openness to Change vs Conservation values. Self-Transcendence values thus shared brain regions with social processes that have previously been linked to a self-transcendent mind-set, and the "core self" representation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilia Leszkowicz
- Department of Animal and Human Physiology, University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland.,School of Psychology, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | | | - David E J Linden
- School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Niklas Ihssen
- Department of Psychology, Durham University, Durham, UK
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20
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Guihard G. Measurement invariance analysis of two empathy scales in a sample of French first year students registered in health formation. CURRENT PSYCHOLOGY 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s12144-021-01936-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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21
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Abstract
Our present moral traits are unable to provide the level of large-scale co-operation necessary to deal with risks such as nuclear proliferation, drastic climate change and pandemics. In order to survive in an environment with powerful and easily available technologies, some authors claim that we need to improve our moral traits with moral enhancement. But this is prone to produce paradoxical effects, be self-reinforcing and harm personal identity. The risks of moral enhancement require the use of a safety framework; such a framework should guarantee practical robustness to moral uncertainty, empirical adequacy, correct balance between dispositions, preservation of identity, and be sensitive to practical considerations such as emergent social effects. A virtue theory can meet all these desiderata. Possible frameworks incorporate them to variable degrees. The social value orientations framework is one of the most promising candidates.
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22
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Brooks J, Kano F, Sato Y, Yeow H, Morimura N, Nagasawa M, Kikusui T, Yamamoto S. Divergent effects of oxytocin on eye contact in bonobos and chimpanzees. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2021; 125:105119. [PMID: 33388536 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2020.105119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2020] [Revised: 12/08/2020] [Accepted: 12/18/2020] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Oxytocin has drawn significant research attention for its role in modulating mammalian social behavior. Despite generally conserved roles, oxytocin can function differently even in closely related species. Previous studies have shown that bonobos and chimpanzees, humans' two closest relatives, demonstrate considerable behavioral differences, including that bonobos look more at others' eyes than chimpanzees. Oxytocin is known to increase attention to another's eyes in many mammalian species (e.g. dogs, monkeys, and humans), yet this effect has not been tested in any nonhuman great ape species. This study examined how intranasally-administered oxytocin affects eye contact in bonobos and chimpanzees using eye tracking. Following administration of either oxytocin or saline control with a nebulizer, chimpanzees (n = 6) and bonobos (n = 5) were shown images of conspecific faces while their eye movement was recorded. Oxytocin changed the eye-looking behavior of bonobos and chimpanzees differently. We found that oxytocin increased eye contact in bonobos but not chimpanzees; while one chimpanzee showed an increase, interestingly, 5 out of 6 chimpanzees showed decreased looking to the eyes compared to the mouth, suggesting moderate eye avoidance. Given the importance of eye contact in their social interactions, our results suggest that oxytocin may play modulatory roles in bonobos' and chimpanzees' species-specific social behavior and underscore the importance of oxytocin in hominid social evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- James Brooks
- Wildlife Research Center, Kyoto University, Japan; Kumamoto Sanctuary, Kyoto University, Japan.
| | - Fumihiro Kano
- Wildlife Research Center, Kyoto University, Japan; Kumamoto Sanctuary, Kyoto University, Japan.
| | - Yutaro Sato
- Wildlife Research Center, Kyoto University, Japan; Kumamoto Sanctuary, Kyoto University, Japan
| | - Hanling Yeow
- Wildlife Research Center, Kyoto University, Japan; Kumamoto Sanctuary, Kyoto University, Japan
| | - Naruki Morimura
- Wildlife Research Center, Kyoto University, Japan; Kumamoto Sanctuary, Kyoto University, Japan
| | - Miho Nagasawa
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Azabu University, Japan
| | | | - Shinya Yamamoto
- Wildlife Research Center, Kyoto University, Japan; Institute for Advanced Study, Kyoto University, Japan
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23
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Staes N, Guevara EE, Helsen P, Eens M, Stevens JMG. The Pan social brain: An evolutionary history of neurochemical receptor genes and their potential impact on sociocognitive differences. J Hum Evol 2021; 152:102949. [PMID: 33578304 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhevol.2021.102949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2020] [Revised: 01/07/2021] [Accepted: 01/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Humans have unique cognitive capacities that, compared with apes, are not only simply expressed as a higher level of general intelligence, but also as a quantitative difference in sociocognitive skills. Humans' closest living relatives, bonobos (Pan paniscus), and chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes), show key between-species differences in social cognition despite their close phylogenetic relatedness, with bonobos arguably showing greater similarities to humans. To better understand the evolution of these traits, we investigate the neurochemical mechanisms underlying sociocognitive skills by focusing on variation in genes encoding proteins with well-documented roles in mammalian social cognition: the receptors for vasopressin (AVPR1A), oxytocin (OXTR), serotonin (HTR1A), and dopamine (DRD2). Although these genes have been well studied in humans, little is known about variation in these genes that may underlie differences in social behavior and cognition in apes. We comparatively analyzed sequence data for 33 bonobos and 57 chimpanzees, together with orthologous sequence data for other apes. In all four genes, we describe genetic variants that alter the amino acid sequence of the respective receptors, raising the possibility that ligand binding or signal transduction may be impacted. Overall, bonobos show 57% more fixed substitutions than chimpanzees compared with the ancestral Pan lineage. Chimpanzees, show 31% more polymorphic coding variation, in line with their larger historical effective population size estimates and current wider distribution. An extensive literature review comparing allelic changes in Pan with known human behavioral variants revealed evidence of homologous evolution in bonobos and humans (OXTR rs4686301(T) and rs237897(A)), while humans and chimpanzees shared OXTR rs2228485(A), DRD2 rs6277(A), and DRD2 rs11214613(A) to the exclusion of bonobos. Our results offer the first in-depth comparison of neurochemical receptor gene variation in Pan and put forward new variants for future behavior-genotype association studies in apes, which can increase our understanding of the evolution of social cognition in modern humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicky Staes
- Behavioral Ecology and Ecophysiology Group, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium; Centre for Research and Conservation, Royal Zoological Society of Antwerp, Koningin Astridplein 26, 2018, Antwerp, Belgium.
| | - Elaine E Guevara
- Evolutionary Anthropology, Duke University, 130 Science Dr, Durham, NC, 27708, USA
| | - Philippe Helsen
- Centre for Research and Conservation, Royal Zoological Society of Antwerp, Koningin Astridplein 26, 2018, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Marcel Eens
- Behavioral Ecology and Ecophysiology Group, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Jeroen M G Stevens
- Behavioral Ecology and Ecophysiology Group, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium
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24
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Intranasal oxytocin in the treatment of autism spectrum disorders: A multilevel meta-analysis. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2021; 122:18-27. [PMID: 33400920 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2020.12.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2020] [Revised: 11/14/2020] [Accepted: 12/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Intranasal oxytocin has been shown to promote social functioning and has recently been applied as a treatment for autism spectrum disorders (ASD). The current meta-analysis aims to assess the crucial question of oxytocin's efficacy in the treatment of ASD. We performed a systematic literature search, including randomized, single- or double-blind/open-label and placebo-controlled clinical trials as well as single-arm, non-randomized and uncontrolled studies investigating exogenous oxytocin effect on ASD. A total of 28 studies (N = 726 ASD patients) met our predefined inclusion criteria. We used a multilevel meta-analytic model and found that oxytocin had beneficial effects on social functioning, but did not find strong evidence for symptoms improvement in the non-social domain. Our findings suggest that oxytocin administration can be regarded as an effective treatment for some core aspects of ASD, especially in the domain of social functioning, highlighting the promise of using oxytocin as a new-generation therapeutic to address core social impairments in ASD.
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25
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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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26
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Wang J, Zhang P, Li W, Wen Q, Liu F, Xu J, Xu Q, Zhu D, Ye Z, Yu C. Right Posterior Insula and Putamen Volume Mediate the Effect of Oxytocin Receptor Polygenic Risk for Autism Spectrum Disorders on Reward Dependence in Healthy Adults. Cereb Cortex 2020; 31:746-756. [PMID: 32710107 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhaa198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2020] [Revised: 06/29/2020] [Accepted: 06/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Much evidence indicates the influence of the oxytocin receptor (OXTR) gene on autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), a set of disorders characterized by a range of deficits in prosocial behaviors, which are closely related to the personality trait of reward dependence (RD). However, we do not know the effect of the OXTR polygenic risk score for ASDs (OXTR-PRSASDs) on RD and its underlying neuroanatomical substrate. Here, we aimed to investigate associations among the OXTR-PRSASDs, gray matter volume (GMV), and RD in two independent datasets of healthy young adults (n = 450 and 540). We found that the individuals with higher OXTR-PRSASDs had lower RD and significantly smaller GMV in the right posterior insula and putamen. The GMV of this region showed a positive correlation with RD and a mediation effect on the association between OXTR-PRSASDs and RD. Moreover, the correlation map between OXTR-PRSASDs and GMV showed spatial correlation with OXTR gene expression. All results were highly consistent between the two datasets. These findings highlight a possible neural pathway by which the common variants in the OXTR gene associated with ASDs may jointly impact the GMV of the right posterior insula and putamen and further affect the personality trait of RD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junping Wang
- Department of Radiology and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Functional Imaging, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, China
| | - Peng Zhang
- Department of Radiology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin 300060, China
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Radiology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin 300060, China
| | - Qin Wen
- Department of Radiology and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Functional Imaging, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, China
| | - Feng Liu
- Department of Radiology and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Functional Imaging, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, China
| | - Jiayuan Xu
- Department of Radiology and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Functional Imaging, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, China
| | - Qiang Xu
- Department of Radiology and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Functional Imaging, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, China
| | - Dan Zhu
- Department of Radiology and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Functional Imaging, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, China
| | - Zhaoxiang Ye
- Department of Radiology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin 300060, China
| | - Chunshui Yu
- Department of Radiology and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Functional Imaging, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, China.,CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
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The Value in Science-Art Partnerships for Science Education and Science Communication. eNeuro 2020; 7:ENEURO.0238-20.2020. [PMID: 32616625 PMCID: PMC7369315 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0238-20.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2020] [Revised: 06/14/2020] [Accepted: 06/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Just a fraction of the scientific knowledge produced in laboratories reaches a lay audience. Most of our communication with the public gets lost in translation because of the difficulties that science communication poses to scientists. Among other obstacles, differential exposure to scientific and critical thinking, discrepancies with social narratives, and communication training based in the deficit model add on top of a practice established on avoiding emotionality. In this context, effective communication requires the use of emotions, which are crucial to establishing trust. This commentary provides a rationale for collaboration with graphic design and fine arts to use emotions in science communication and education. It starts by proposing the two-way engagement model as a replacement for the deficit model. Next, it offers a neuroscientific basis for the use of emotions in establishing trust. Finally, it finishes profiling the Convergence Initiative's efforts to establish bridges across disciplines and communicating science with the public through art.
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Palumbo S, Mariotti V, Anastasio T, Rota G, Lucchi L, Manfrinati A, Rumiati R, Lotto L, Sarlo M, Pietrini P, Pellegrini S. A genetic profile of oxytocin receptor improves moral acceptability of outcome-maximizing harm in male insurance brokers. Behav Brain Res 2020; 392:112681. [PMID: 32387223 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2020.112681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2019] [Revised: 03/26/2020] [Accepted: 04/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
In recent years, conflicting findings have been reported in the scientific literature about the influence of dopaminergic, serotonergic and oxytocinergic gene variants on moral behavior. Here, we utilized a moral judgment paradigm to test the potential effects on moral choices of three polymorphisms of the Oxytocin receptor (OXTR): rs53576, rs2268498 and rs1042770. We analyzed the influence of each single polymorphism and of genetic profiles obtained by different combinations of their genotypes in a sample of male insurance brokers (n = 129), as compared to control males (n = 109). Insurance brokers resulted significantly more oriented to maximize outcomes than control males, thus they expressed more than controls the utilitarian attitude phenotype. When analyzed individually, none of the selected variants influenced the responses to moral dilemmas. In contrast, a composite genetic profile that potentially increases OXTR activity was associated with higher moral acceptability in brokers. We hypothesize that this genetic profile promotes outcome-maximizing behavior in brokers by focusing their attention on what represents a greater good, that is, saving the highest number of people, even though at the cost of sacrificing one individual. Our data suggest that investigations in a sample that most expresses the phenotype of interest, combined with the analysis of composite genetic profiles rather than individual variants, represent a promising strategy to find out weak genetic influences on complex phenotypes, such as moral behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Palumbo
- Department of Surgical, Medical and Molecular Pathology and Critical Care Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Veronica Mariotti
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Teresa Anastasio
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | | | | | - Andrea Manfrinati
- Department of Developmental Psychology and Socialization, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Rino Rumiati
- Department of Developmental Psychology and Socialization, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Lorella Lotto
- Department of Developmental Psychology and Socialization, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Michela Sarlo
- Department of General Psychology and Padova Neuroscience Center, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | | | - Silvia Pellegrini
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
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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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Zhang J, Zhou C, Yu R. Oxytocin amplifies the influence of good intentions on social judgments. Horm Behav 2020; 117:104589. [PMID: 31593697 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2019.104589] [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: 03/17/2019] [Revised: 08/25/2019] [Accepted: 09/13/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Studies have shown that the evolutionarily conserved neuropeptide oxytocin (OT) promotes various prosocial behaviors, yet there are few studies of the effect of OT on social judgments, especially on judgments when the actor's intention and the final outcome are incongruent. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled experiment, participants were asked to play the role of the recipient in a dictator game and to make social judgments about the dictator after intranasal OT administration. To isolate the outcome and the intention of the dictator's allocation, we developed a novel social judgment task in which recipients were told that 50% of the dictators' proposals would be reversed. The results showed that the effect of OT on social judgment was modulated by intention: OT increased goodness ratings only towards dictators with hyperfair intention. Our findings support the affiliative-motivation theory which states that OT enhances the affiliative motivation and recognition of positive-valence social stimuli.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junfeng Zhang
- School of Psychology, Center for Studies of Psychological Application and Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science of Guangdong Province, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chengyan Zhou
- School of Psychology, Center for Studies of Psychological Application and Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science of Guangdong Province, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Rongjun Yu
- Department of Psychology, National University of Singapore, Singapore.
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Oxytocin receptor gene polymorphisms moderate the relationship between job stress and general trust in Chinese Han university teachers. J Affect Disord 2020; 260:18-23. [PMID: 31493633 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2019.08.080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2019] [Revised: 06/20/2019] [Accepted: 08/25/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chronic exposure to stressful work environments can influence general trust. High job stress is associated with low trust in others. Both environmental and genetic factors contribute to general trust; however, few empirical studies have explored the important role of gene-environment interactions on general trust. In this study, the moderating roles of the polymorphisms OXTR rs53576 and OXTR rs2268490 in the relationship between job stress and general trust were evaluated. METHODS 362 healthy Chinese Han university teachers (196 males, 165 females, and 1 undisclosed) were included (Mage = 39.80, SD = 9.16). Standardized questionnaires about demographic characteristics, job stress, and general trust scale were collected. Blood samples were collected for OXTR rs53576 and rs2268490 genotyping. RESULTS Job stress scores showed a significant negative main effect on general trust (p < 0.001), while OXTR rs53576 and rs2268490 did not (p > 0.05). The effect of the interaction between job stress and OXTR rs53576 or rs2268490 on general trust was significant, even after controlling for gender and age. High job stress was associated with low general trust in OXTR rs53576 homozygous individuals (GG/AA) or OXTR rs2268490 CT individuals, demonstrating that the GA genotype in OXTR rs53576 and CC/TT genotype in OXTR rs2268490 are protective genotype of general trust. LIMITATIONS This study used a cross-sectional design, only considered Chinese Han university teachers, and only examined two polymorphisms in OXTR. CONCLUSIONS Our findings provide evidence that gene-environment interactions influence general trust and identify a new locus (rs2268490) underlying this phenotype.
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Kalyoncu T, Özbaran B, Köse S, Onay H. Variation in the Oxytocin Receptor Gene Is Associated With Social Cognition and ADHD. J Atten Disord 2019; 23:702-711. [PMID: 28478728 DOI: 10.1177/1087054717706757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Children with ADHD show substantial deficits in social cognitive abilities. Oxytocin, mediated through its specific receptor (OXTR), is involved in the regulation of social behavior and social cognition. METHOD The entire coding sequence of the human OXT and OXTR genes were sequenced to identify mutations and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 151 children with ADHD (ADHD-combined, n = 51; inattentive subtype, n = 50; ADHD-C plus conduct disorder [CD], n = 50; 11-18 years) and 100 healthy controls. RESULTS We examined the association of three detected SNPs of OXTR with social cognition deficits. A significant association was shown between the children with ADHD and children with CT/TT genotypes of rs4686302 (χ2 = 3.695; p = .037). ADHD children with CT/TT genotype for the OXTR rs4686302 performed significantly lower on the facial emotion recognition task than those with CC genotype. CONCLUSION OXTR rs4686302 polymorphism was shown to be a genetic marker in social cognition deficits in ADHD children.
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The oxytocin receptor gene predicts brain activity during an emotion recognition task in autism. Mol Autism 2019; 10:12. [PMID: 30918622 PMCID: PMC6419364 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-019-0258-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2018] [Accepted: 02/04/2019] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Autism is a highly varied and heritable neurodevelopmental condition, and common variants explain approximately 50% of the genetic variance of autism. One of the genes implicated in autism is the oxytocin receptor (OXTR). The current study combined genetic and brain imaging (fMRI) data to examine the moderating effect of genotype on the association between diagnosis and brain activity in response to a test of cognitive empathy. Methods Participants were adolescents (mean age = 14.7 ± 1.7) who were genotyped for single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within the OXTR and underwent functional brain imaging while completing the adolescent version of the ‘Reading the Mind in the Eyes’ Test (Eyes Test). Results Two (rs2254298, rs53576) of the five OXTR SNPs examined were significantly associated with brain activity during the Eyes Test, and three of the SNPs (rs2254298, rs53576, rs2268491) interacted with diagnostic status to predict brain activity. All of the effects localized to the right supramarginal gyrus (rSMG) and an overlap analysis revealed a large overlap of the effects. An exploratory analysis showed that activity within an anatomically defined rSMG and genotype can predict diagnostic status with reasonable accuracy. Conclusions This is one of the first studies to investigate OXTR and brain function in autism. The findings suggest a neurogenetic mechanism by which OXTR-dependent activity within the rSMG is related to the aetiology of autism. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13229-019-0258-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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The late positive potential and subjective arousal ratings evoked by negative images vary as a function of oxytocin receptor genotype SNP rs53576. Neuroreport 2019; 29:1145-1150. [PMID: 29958244 DOI: 10.1097/wnr.0000000000001085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
In the central nervous system the neuropeptide oxytocin mediates a range of behaviors related primarily to emotionality. One factor that influences oxytocinergic communication in the human brain and correlates with emotional behaviors is the single nucleotide polymorphism rs53576 on the oxytocin receptor gene (OXTR). For example, variations in this OXTR genotype are related to parental, altruistic, and other prosocial behaviors. Electroencephalographic waveforms of visually evoked response potentials recorded at the midline parietal electrode site display a prominent component putatively involved with attention allocation called the late positive potential. The magnitude of the late positive potential was found to be significantly higher in homozygous G allele individuals compared with A allele carriers when viewing negative emotionally charged images. Inversely, A allele carriers rated these negative images as more arousing, when measured by the Self-Assessment Manikin rating scale. These data suggest that OXTR functioning contributes to visual processing and subjective experience of negative stimuli.
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Xu L, Becker B, Kendrick KM. Oxytocin Facilitates Social Learning by Promoting Conformity to Trusted Individuals. Front Neurosci 2019; 13:56. [PMID: 30787864 PMCID: PMC6372972 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2019.00056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2018] [Accepted: 01/21/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
There is considerable interest in the role of the neuropeptide oxytocin in promoting social cohesion both in terms of promoting specific social bonds and also more generally for increasing our willingness to trust others and/or to conform to their opinions. These latter findings may also be important in the context of a modulatory role for oxytocin in improving the efficacy of behavioral therapy in psychiatric disorders. However, the original landmark studies claiming an important role for oxytocin in enhancing trust in others, primarily using economic game strategies, have been questioned by subsequent meta-analytic approaches or failure to reproduce findings in different contexts. On the other hand, a growing number of studies have consistently reported that oxytocin promotes conformity to the views of groups of in-group individuals. Most recently we have found that oxytocin can increase acceptance of social advice given by individual experts without influencing their perceived trustworthiness per se, but that increased conformity in this context is associated with how much an expert is initially trusted and liked. Oxytocin can also enhance the impact of information given by experts by facilitating expectancy and placebo effects. Here we therefore propose that a key role for oxytocin is not in facilitating social trust per se but in conforming to, and learning from, trusted individuals who are either in-group members and/or perceived experts. The implications of this for social learning and use of oxytocin as an adjunct to behavioral therapy in psychiatric disorders are discussed. Interpersonal trust within social groups is of key importance for social interactions, bonds, cooperation and learning and trust between different groups can also help ensure a stable and peaceful co-existence as well as mutually beneficial co-operation and trade. Trust is generally considered to be critical for co-operation and reciprocity in social and economic interactions but importantly trust also involves risk of potential injury if misplaced or broken and we have a natural aversion to taking such risks (Hardin, 2002; Ostrom and Walker, 2003). Indeed, an important factor influencing our trust behavior is that we are strongly motivated to avoid others betraying our trust (Bohnet and Zeckhauser, 2004; Bohnet et al., 2008). Trust can potentially be influenced by our assessment of the level of risk that trusting others might have and also by increased sensitivity to physical and/or other cues for detecting trustworthiness. It is therefore of great importance to identify both behavioral and physiological factors which can act to enhance trust, particularly in situations where individuals have impaired trust and therefore find it hard to interact socially with others and learn from them and/or to benefit optimally from cognitive and behavioral therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Keith M. Kendrick
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Laboratory for NeuroInformation, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
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Wu N, Su Y. Variations in the oxytocin receptor gene and prosocial behavior: moderating effects of situational factors. Integr Zool 2019; 13:687-697. [PMID: 29851255 DOI: 10.1111/1749-4877.12336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Humans are the most prosocial primate species and they often exhibit high levels of prosocial behavior toward genetically unrelated individuals. Traditional evolutionary theories are not sufficient to explain the individual differences and mechanisms related to prosociality. In this study, we focused on the gene-situation interaction in prosocial behaviors, and the patterns of genotype variance related to cooperation and comforting in different situations. We explored the interaction between the oxytocin receptor (OXTR) gene and situations, and the genotype variance under low and high prosociality situations between outgroup and ingroup recipients in a sample of 422 Chinese males. Prosociality was tested by measuring the prosocial tendencies, and prosocial behaviors were tested in cooperation and comforting tasks. OXTR single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were genotyped using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. The results suggested that the relationship between OXTR SNPs (specifically rs13316193, rs1042778 and rs237887) and prosocial behavior varied across different situations, and that the associations were moderated by the recipient's identity and the prosocial cost. Our findings indicate the action of a moderating mechanism between the OXTR gene and prosocial behaviors according to situational factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nan Wu
- Teachers College of Beijing Union University, Peking University, Beijing, China.,School of Psychological and Cognitive Sciences and Beijing Key Laboratory of Behavior and Mental Health, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Yanjie Su
- School of Psychological and Cognitive Sciences and Beijing Key Laboratory of Behavior and Mental Health, Peking University, Beijing, China
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Interactive effects of OXTR and GAD1 on envy-associated behaviors and neural responses. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0210493. [PMID: 30633779 PMCID: PMC6329522 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0210493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2018] [Accepted: 12/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Inequity aversion (negative feelings induced by outcome differences between the self and other) plays a key role in human social behaviors. The neurotransmitters oxytocin and GABA have been implicated in neural responses to inequity. However, it remains poorly understood not only how individual genetic factors related to oxytocin and GABA affect the neural mechanisms behind inequity aversion, but also how these genes interact. To address these issues, we examined relationships between genotypes, behavioral decisions and brain activities during the ultimatum game. We identified interactive effects between the polymorphisms of the oxytocin receptor gene (OXTR) and glutamate decarboxylase 1 gene for GABA synthesis (GAD1) on envy aversion (i.e., disadvantageous inequity aversion) and on envy-induced activity in the dorsal ACC (dACC). Thus, our integrated approach suggested interactive genetic effects between OXTR and GAD1 on envy aversion and the underlying neural substrates.
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Kim HW, Kang JI, An SK, Kim SJ. Oxytocin receptor gene variants are associated with emotion recognition and resilience, but not with false-belief reasoning performance in healthy young Korean volunteers. CNS Neurosci Ther 2018; 25:519-526. [PMID: 30311451 DOI: 10.1111/cns.13075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2018] [Revised: 09/14/2018] [Accepted: 09/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
AIMS A growing body of literature has indicated that oxytocin is associated with several domains of social cognition and behavior. Nevertheless, the effects of oxytocin receptor gene (OXTR) polymorphisms on social phenotypes remain unclear. Therefore, we aimed to explore the genetic influence of OXTR variants on social cognition (social perception and theory of mind) and resilience in healthy individuals. METHODS We examined the influence of 10 common OXTR variants on social cognitive abilities, including facial emotion recognition and theory of mind, and trait resilience in 264 unrelated, healthy participants. RESULTS We found a significant association between the A-C haplotype at rs237887-rs2268490 and facial affect recognition. In addition, the single marker rs2254298 was significantly associated with participants' scores on the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale. In contrast, variations in OXTR did not affect participants' performance on the false-belief reasoning task. CONCLUSIONS Single makers or haplotypes at OXTR may contribute to individual differences in facial emotion recognition and psychological resilience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hae Won Kim
- Department of Medical Education, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.,Institute of Behavioral Science in Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jee In Kang
- Institute of Behavioral Science in Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.,Department of Psychiatry, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Suk Kyoon An
- Institute of Behavioral Science in Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.,Department of Psychiatry, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Se Joo Kim
- Institute of Behavioral Science in Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.,Department of Psychiatry, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
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Dobewall H, Hakulinen C, Keltikangas-Järvinen L, Pulkki-Råback L, Seppälä I, Lehtimäki T, Raitakari OT, Hintsanen M. Oxytocin receptor gene (OXTR) variant rs1042778 moderates the influence of family environment on changes in perceived social support over time. J Affect Disord 2018; 235:480-488. [PMID: 29680729 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2018.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2017] [Revised: 03/02/2018] [Accepted: 04/02/2018] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lack of social support is an established risk factor across health outcomes, making it important to examine its family environmental and genetic determinants. METHODS In a 27-year follow-up of the Young Finns Study (N = 2341), we examined with a latent growth curve model whether genes involved in the oxytocin signaling pathway-namely, oxytocin receptor gene (OXTR) variants rs1042778, rs2254298, and rs53576-moderate the effect of early-life social experiences on perceived social support across the life span. Mothers reported the emotional warmth and acceptance towards their children at baseline when the participants were from 3 to 18 years old (1980). Perceived family support and support from friends and peripheral sources were assessed in five follow-ups 18 years apart (1989-2007). RESULTS Maternal emotional warmth and acceptance predicted the initial level of perceived social support across subscales, while the rate of change in family support was affected by the family environment only if participants carried the T-allele of OXTR rs1042778. This gene-environment interaction was not found for the rate of change in support from friends and peripheral sources and we also did not find associations between latent growth in perceived social support and OXTR variants rs53576 and rs2254298. LIMITATIONS Selective attrition in perceived social support, maternal emotional warmth and acceptance, gender, and SES. Family environment was assessed by a non-standardized measure. CONCLUSIONS OXTR rs1042778 polymorphism seems to contribute to changes in perceived family support in that way that some individuals (T-allele carriers) 'recover', to some extent, from the effects of early-life social experiences, whereas others (G/G genotype carriers) do not.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henrik Dobewall
- Department of Psychology and Logopedics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland; Faculty of Social Sciences, Health Sciences, University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland
| | - Christian Hakulinen
- Department of Psychology and Logopedics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | | | - Laura Pulkki-Råback
- Department of Psychology and Logopedics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland; Helsinki Collegium for Advanced Studies, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Ilkka Seppälä
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, Fimlab Laboratories, Finnish Cardiovascular Research Center-Tampere, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Tampere, Finland
| | - Terho Lehtimäki
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, Fimlab Laboratories, Finnish Cardiovascular Research Center-Tampere, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Tampere, Finland
| | - Olli T Raitakari
- Research Collegium for Applied and Preventive Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Mirka Hintsanen
- Research Unit of Psychology, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland; Department of Psychology and Logopedics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
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40
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Jurek B, Neumann ID. The Oxytocin Receptor: From Intracellular Signaling to Behavior. Physiol Rev 2018; 98:1805-1908. [DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00031.2017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 408] [Impact Index Per Article: 68.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The many facets of the oxytocin (OXT) system of the brain and periphery elicited nearly 25,000 publications since 1930 (see FIGURE 1 , as listed in PubMed), which revealed central roles for OXT and its receptor (OXTR) in reproduction, and social and emotional behaviors in animal and human studies focusing on mental and physical health and disease. In this review, we discuss the mechanisms of OXT expression and release, expression and binding of the OXTR in brain and periphery, OXTR-coupled signaling cascades, and their involvement in behavioral outcomes to assemble a comprehensive picture of the central and peripheral OXT system. Traditionally known for its role in milk let-down and uterine contraction during labor, OXT also has implications in physiological, and also behavioral, aspects of reproduction, such as sexual and maternal behaviors and pair bonding, but also anxiety, trust, sociability, food intake, or even drug abuse. The many facets of OXT are, on a molecular basis, brought about by a single receptor. The OXTR, a 7-transmembrane G protein-coupled receptor capable of binding to either Gαior Gαqproteins, activates a set of signaling cascades, such as the MAPK, PKC, PLC, or CaMK pathways, which converge on transcription factors like CREB or MEF-2. The cellular response to OXT includes regulation of neurite outgrowth, cellular viability, and increased survival. OXTergic projections in the brain represent anxiety and stress-regulating circuits connecting the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus, amygdala, bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, or the medial prefrontal cortex. Which OXT-induced patterns finally alter the behavior of an animal or a human being is still poorly understood, and studying those OXTR-coupled signaling cascades is one initial step toward a better understanding of the molecular background of those behavioral effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Jurek
- Department of Behavioural and Molecular Neurobiology, Institute of Zoology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Inga D. Neumann
- Department of Behavioural and Molecular Neurobiology, Institute of Zoology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
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Madlon-Kay S, Montague MJ, Brent LJN, Ellis S, Zhong B, Snyder-Mackler N, Horvath JE, Skene JHP, Platt ML. Weak effects of common genetic variation in oxytocin and vasopressin receptor genes on rhesus macaque social behavior. Am J Primatol 2018; 80:e22873. [PMID: 29931777 DOI: 10.1002/ajp.22873] [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] [Received: 01/10/2018] [Revised: 04/01/2018] [Accepted: 04/02/2018] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
The neuropeptides oxytocin (OT) and arginine vasopressin (AVP) influence pair bonding, attachment, and sociality, as well as anxiety and stress responses in humans and other mammals. The effects of these peptides are mediated by genetic variability in their associated receptors, OXTR and the AVPR gene family. However, the role of these genes in regulating social behaviors in non-human primates is not well understood. To address this question, we examined whether genetic variation in the OT receptor gene OXTR and the AVP receptor genes AVPR1A and AVPR1B influence naturally-occurring social behavior in free-ranging rhesus macaques-gregarious primates that share many features of their biology and social behavior with humans. We assessed rates of social behavior across 3,250 hr of observational behavioral data from 201 free-ranging rhesus macaques on Cayo Santiago island in Puerto Rico, and used genetic sequence data to identify 25 OXTR, AVPR1A, and AVPR1B single-nucleotide variants (SNVs) in the population. We used an animal model to estimate the effects of 12 SNVs (n = 3 OXTR; n = 5 AVPR1A; n = 4 AVPR1B) on rates of grooming, approaches, passive contact, contact aggression, and non-contact aggression, given and received. Though we found evidence for modest heritability of these behaviors, estimates of effect sizes of the selected SNVs were close to zero, indicating that common OXTR and AVPR variation contributed little to social behavior in these animals. Our results are consistent with recent findings in human genetics that the effects of individual common genetic variants on complex phenotypes are generally small.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seth Madlon-Kay
- Department of Neuroscience, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Michael J Montague
- Department of Neuroscience, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Lauren J N Brent
- Centre for Research in Animal Behaviour, University of Exeter, Exeter, Devon
| | - Samuel Ellis
- Centre for Research in Animal Behaviour, University of Exeter, Exeter, Devon
| | - Brian Zhong
- Department of Neuroscience, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Noah Snyder-Mackler
- Department of Psychology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington.,Center for Studies in Demography and Ecology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington.,Washington National Primate Research Center, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Julie E Horvath
- Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, North Carolina Central University, Durham, North Carolina.,North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, Raleigh, North Carolina.,Department of Evolutionary Anthropology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
| | | | - Michael L Platt
- Department of Psychology, School of Arts and Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.,Department of Marketing, The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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42
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Vizeli P, Liechti ME. Oxytocin receptor gene variations and socio-emotional effects of MDMA: A pooled analysis of controlled studies in healthy subjects. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0199384. [PMID: 29912955 PMCID: PMC6005537 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0199384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2017] [Accepted: 03/26/2018] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) increases oxytocin, empathy, and prosociality. Oxytocin plays a critical role in emotion processing and social behavior and has been shown to mediate the prosocial effects of MDMA in animals. Genetic variants, such as single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), of the oxytocin receptor (OXTR) may influence the emotional and social effects of MDMA in humans. The effects of common genetic variants of the OXTR (rs53576, rs1042778, and rs2254298 SNPs) on the emotional, empathogenic, and prosocial effects of MDMA were characterized in up to 132 healthy subjects in a pooled analysis of eight double-blind, placebo-controlled studies. In a subset of 53 subjects, MDMA produced significantly greater feelings of trust in rs1042778 TT genotypes compared with G allele carriers. The rs53576 and rs225498 SNPs did not moderate the subjective effects of MDMA in up to 132 subjects. None of the SNPs moderated MDMA-induced impairments in negative facial emotion recognition or enhancements in emotional empathy in the Multifaceted Empathy Test in 69 subjects. MDMA significantly increased plasma oxytocin concentrations. MDMA and oxytocin concentrations did not differ between OXTR gene variants. The present results provide preliminary evidence that OXTR gene variations may modulate aspects of the prosocial subjective effects of MDMA in humans. However, interpretation should be cautious due to the small sample size. Additionally, OXTR SNPs did not moderate the subjective overall effect of MDMA (any drug effect) or feelings of “closeness to others”. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov, No: NCT00886886, NCT00990067, NCT01136278, NCT01270672, NCT01386177, NCT01465685, NCT01771874, and NCT01951508.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Vizeli
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Biomedicine and Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Matthias E. Liechti
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Biomedicine and Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- * E-mail:
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de Oliveira Pereira Ribeiro L, Vargas-Pinilla P, Kappel DB, Longo D, Ranzan J, Becker MM, dos Santos Riesgo R, Schuler-Faccini L, Roman T, Schuch JB. Evidence for Association Between OXTR Gene and ASD Clinical Phenotypes. J Mol Neurosci 2018; 65:213-221. [DOI: 10.1007/s12031-018-1088-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2017] [Accepted: 05/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
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Aydogan G, Furtner NC, Kern B, Jobst A, Müller N, Kocher MG. Oxytocin promotes altruistic punishment. Soc Cogn Affect Neurosci 2018; 12:1740-1747. [PMID: 28981891 PMCID: PMC5714236 DOI: 10.1093/scan/nsx101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2017] [Accepted: 08/17/2017] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The role of neuromodulators in the enforcement of cooperation is still not well understood. Here, we provide evidence that intranasal applied oxytocin, an important hormone for modulating social behavior, enhances the inclination to sanction free-riders in a social dilemma situation. Contrary to the notion of oxytocin being a pro-social hormone, we found that participants treated with oxytocin exhibited an amplification of self-reported negative social emotions such as anger towards free-riders, ultimately resulting in higher magnitude and frequency of punishment of free-riders compared to placebo. Furthermore, we found initial evidence that oxytocin contributes to the positive effects of a punishment institution by rendering cooperation preferable in the oxytocin condition for even the most selfish players when punishment was available. Together, these findings imply that the neural circuits underlying altruistic punishment are partly targeted by the oxytonergic system and highlight the importance of neuromodulators in group cohesion and norm enforcement within social groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gökhan Aydogan
- Department of Psychology, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA
| | - Nadja C Furtner
- Department of Economics, Ludwig-Maximilians University Munich, Germany
| | - Bianca Kern
- Department of Economics, Ludwig-Maximilians University Munich, Germany
| | - Andrea Jobst
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Ludwig-Maximilians University Munich, Germany
| | - Norbert Müller
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Ludwig-Maximilians University Munich, Germany.,Marion von Tessin Memory Center, Munich, Germany
| | - Martin G Kocher
- Department of Economics, Ludwig-Maximilians University Munich, Germany.,Institute for Advanced Studies, Vienna, 1080 Vienna, Austria.,Department of Economics, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
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Terris ET, Beavin LE, Barraza JA, Schloss J, Zak PJ. Endogenous Oxytocin Release Eliminates In-Group Bias in Monetary Transfers With Perspective-Taking. Front Behav Neurosci 2018; 12:35. [PMID: 29556181 PMCID: PMC5845013 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2018.00035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2017] [Accepted: 02/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Oxytocin (OT) has been shown to facilitate trust, empathy and other prosocial behaviors. At the same time, there is evidence that exogenous OT infusion may not result in prosocial behaviors in all contexts, increasing in-group biases in a number of studies. The current investigation seeks to resolve this inconsistency by examining if endogenous OT release is associated with in-group bias. We studied a large group of participants (N = 399) in existing groups and randomly formed groups. Participants provided two blood samples to measure the change in OT after a group salience task and then made computer-mediated monetary transfer decisions to in-group and out-group members. Our results show that participants with an increase in endogenous OT showed no bias in monetary offers in the ultimatum game (UG) to out-group members compared to in-groups. There was also no bias in accepting UG offers, though in-group bias persisted for a unilateral monetary transfer. Our analysis shows that the strength of identification with one's group diminished the effects that an increase in OT had on reducing bias, but bias only recurred when group identification reached 87% of its maximum value. Our results indicate that the endogenous OT system appears to reduce in-group bias in some contexts, particularly those that require perspective-taking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth T. Terris
- Center for Neuroeconomics Studies, Claremont Graduate University, Claremont, CA, United States
| | - Laura E. Beavin
- Center for Neuroeconomics Studies, Claremont Graduate University, Claremont, CA, United States
| | - Jorge A. Barraza
- Center for Neuroeconomics Studies, Claremont Graduate University, Claremont, CA, United States
| | - Jeff Schloss
- Department of Biology, Westmont College, Santa Barbara, CA, United States
| | - Paul J. Zak
- Center for Neuroeconomics Studies, Claremont Graduate University, Claremont, CA, United States
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46
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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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47
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Hovey D, Henningsson S, Cortes DS, Bänziger T, Zettergren A, Melke J, Fischer H, Laukka P, Westberg L. Emotion recognition associated with polymorphism in oxytocinergic pathway gene ARNT2. Soc Cogn Affect Neurosci 2018; 13:173-181. [PMID: 29194499 PMCID: PMC5827350 DOI: 10.1093/scan/nsx141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2017] [Revised: 10/31/2017] [Accepted: 11/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The ability to correctly understand the emotional expression of another person is essential for social relationships and appears to be a partly inherited trait. The neuropeptides oxytocin and vasopressin have been shown to influence this ability as well as face processing in humans. Here, recognition of the emotional content of faces and voices, separately and combined, was investigated in 492 subjects, genotyped for 25 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in eight genes encoding proteins important for oxytocin and vasopressin neurotransmission. The SNP rs4778599 in the gene encoding aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator 2 (ARNT2), a transcription factor that participates in the development of hypothalamic oxytocin and vasopressin neurons, showed an association that survived correction for multiple testing with emotion recognition of audio-visual stimuli in women (n = 309). This study demonstrates evidence for an association that further expands previous findings of oxytocin and vasopressin involvement in emotion recognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Hovey
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology at the Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Susanne Henningsson
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology at the Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Diana S Cortes
- Department of Psychology, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Tanja Bänziger
- Department of Psychology, Mid Sweden University, Östersund, Sweden
| | - Anna Zettergren
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology at the Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology at the Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Jonas Melke
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology at the Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Håkan Fischer
- Department of Psychology, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Petri Laukka
- Department of Psychology, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Lars Westberg
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology at the Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
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48
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Primes G, Fieder M. Real-life helping behaviours in North America: A genome-wide association approach. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0190950. [PMID: 29324852 PMCID: PMC5764334 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0190950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2017] [Accepted: 12/24/2017] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
In humans, prosocial behaviour is essential for social functioning. Twin studies suggest this distinct human trait to be partly hardwired. In the last decade research on the genetics of prosocial behaviour focused on neurotransmitters and neuropeptides, such as oxytocin, dopamine, and their respective pathways. Recent trends towards large scale medical studies targeting the genetic basis of complex diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and schizophrenia pave the way for new directions also in behavioural genetics. Based on data from 10,713 participants of the American Health and Retirement Study we estimated heritability of helping behaviour–its total variance explained by 1.2 million single nucleotide polymorphisms–to be 11%. Both, fixed models and mixed linear models identified rs11697300, an intergene variant on chromosome 20, as a candidate variant moderating this particular helping behaviour. We assume that this so far undescribed area is worth further investigation in association with human prosocial behaviour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georg Primes
- Department of Anthropology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- * E-mail:
| | - Martin Fieder
- Department of Anthropology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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50
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Oláh K, Topál J, Kovács K, Kis A, Koller D, Young Park S, Virányi Z. Gaze-Following and Reaction to an Aversive Social Interaction Have Corresponding Associations with Variation in the OXTR Gene in Dogs but Not in Human Infants. Front Psychol 2017; 8:2156. [PMID: 29312041 PMCID: PMC5732940 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2017.02156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2017] [Accepted: 11/27/2017] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
It has been suggested that dogs' remarkable capacity to use human communicative signals lies in their comparable social cognitive skills; however, this view has been questioned recently. The present study investigated associations between oxytocin receptor gene (OXTR) polymorphisms and social behavior in human infants and dogs with the aim to unravel potentially differential mechanisms behind their responsiveness to human gaze. Sixteen-month-old human infants (N = 99) and adult Border Collie dogs (N = 71) participated in two tasks designed to test (1) their use of gaze-direction as a cue to locate a hidden object, and (2) their reactions to an aversive social interaction (using the still face task for children and a threatening approach task for dogs). Moreover, we obtained DNA samples to analyze associations between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in the OXTR (dogs: -213AG, -94TC, -74CG, rs8679682, children: rs53576, rs1042778, rs2254298) and behavior. We found that OXTR genotype was significantly associated with reactions to an aversive social interaction both in dogs and children, confirming the anxiolytic effect of oxytocin in both species. In dogs, the genotypes linked to less fearful behavior were associated also with a higher willingness to follow gaze whereas in children, OXTR gene polymorphisms did not affect gaze following success. This pattern of gene-behavior associations suggests that for dogs the two situations are more alike (potentially fear-inducing or competitive) than for human children. This raises the possibility that, in contrast to former studies proposing human-like cooperativeness in dogs, dogs may perceive human gaze in an object-choice task in a more antagonistic manner than children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katalin Oláh
- Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience and Psychology, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary.,Department of Cognitive Psychology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - József Topál
- Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience and Psychology, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Krisztina Kovács
- Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience and Psychology, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Anna Kis
- Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience and Psychology, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Dóra Koller
- Department of Medical Chemistry, Molecular Biology and Pathobiochemistry, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Soon Young Park
- Comparative Cognition, Messerli Research Institute, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria.,University of Vienna, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Zsófia Virányi
- Comparative Cognition, Messerli Research Institute, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria.,University of Vienna, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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