The oxytocin receptor gene and social perception

Abstract

Social perception is an important prerequisite for successful social interaction, because it helps to gain information about behaviors, thoughts, and feelings of interaction partners. Previous pharmacological studies have emphasized the relevance of the oxytocin system for social perception abilities, while knowledge on genetic contributions is still scarce. In the endeavor to fill this gap in the literature, the current study searches for associations between participants' social perception abilities as measured by the interpersonal perception task (IPT) and the rs2268498 polymorphism on the OXTR-gene, which has repeatedly been linked to processes relevant to social functioning. N = 105 healthy participants were experimentally tested with the IPT and genotyped for the rs2268498 polymorphism. T-allele carriers (TT and TC genotypes) exhibited significantly better performance in the IPT than carriers of the CC-genotype. This difference was also significant for the subscales measuring the strength of social bonding (kinship and intimacy). As in previous studies, T-allele carriers exhibited better performance in measures of social processing indicating that the rs2268498 polymorphism is an important candidate for understanding the genetic basis of social functioning.

The association of childhood maltreatment with depression and anxiety is not moderated by the oxytocin receptor gene

“…This indicates a gene–environment correlation, which could have multiple causes, e.g., the genotype could be associated with behavior that may evoke abusive behavior by the parents, or the genotype could be associated with abusive characteristics and genetic inheritance then leads to associations with abuse experiences in the offspring. Some studies have shown this SNP to be associated with social and empathic behaviors [ 42 – 44 ], and could be of interest to study further in the context of maltreatment. Intriguingly, the presence of gene–environment correlation may have increased the likelihood of detecting spurious gene–environment interactions, none of which were significant in the current study.…”

“…Based on previous findings in this area, as discussed above [ 12 , 22 – 25 ], the OXTR SNPs rs2254298 and rs53576 will be examined. In addition, the OXTR SNPs rs1042778 and rs2268498, which are thought to be involved in social behavior and negative emotionality [ 8 , 21 , 44 ], will be included as well. To increase the reliability of the measurement of childhood maltreatment, both interview-based and self-report measures are included.…”

How Oxytocin Receptor (OXTR) Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms Act on Prosociality: The Mediation Role of Moral Evaluation

“…Specifically, Scheele et al (2014) found that exogenous oxytocin administration facilitated neural responses in ACC, precuneus and insula without corresponding impact on emotional arousal, which suggested the activation in these areas might not reflect an enhanced emotional response, but increased attention to certain type of social cues. In line with this, exogenous oxytocin administration (Guastella et al, 2008; Andari et al, 2010) and the variability in OXTR gene (Melchers et al, 2015) have been related to social perception or attention, which can also influence moral judgment (Pärnamets et al, 2015). Additionally, at the brain activity level, OXTR gene polymorphisms have been found to be associated with the functionality of amygdala (Waller et al, 2016), which plays a pivotal role in facilitating attention to and perception of salient stimuli (Phelps and LeDoux, 2005).…”

Polymorphisms of the oxytocin receptor gene and overeating: the intermediary role of endophenotypic risk factors

“…52 The TT genotype was also associated with the lowest scores on measures of fear and sadness, as well as on negative emotionality. 53 …”