Oxytocin and oxytocin receptor gene polymorphisms and risk for schizophrenia: a case-control study

TY - JOUR

T1 - Oxytocin and oxytocin receptor gene polymorphisms and risk for schizophrenia: a case-control study

AU - Montag, Christiane

AU - Brockmann, Eva-Maria

AU - Bayerl, Martin

AU - Rujescu, Dan

AU - Müller, Daniel J

AU - Gallinat, Jürgen

PY - 2013/9/1

Y1 - 2013/9/1

N2 - OBJECTIVES: Dysfunctions of the "social brain" belong to the core features of schizophrenia. The neurohormone oxytocin (OXT), mediated through its specific receptor (OXTR), is involved in the regulation of social behaviour and social cognition. Previous research has suggested a role of OXT system genes in disorders of social reciprocity. Preliminary evidence points to an association of peripheral OXT levels as well as OXT and OXTR gene polymorphisms with psychotic symptoms and treatment response in schizophrenia. This study aims to determine a possible contribution of OXT and OXTR genetic variations to schizophrenia susceptibility.METHODS: Using n = 406 individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia according to DSM-IV and n = 406 healthy controls matched for age and gender in a case-control design, two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within the OXT gene (rs2740204, rs2740210) and four SNPs within the OXTR gene (rs53576, rs237880, rs237885, rs237902) that were previously investigated in other studies were genotyped.RESULTS: Chi(2)-testing suggested significant associations of OXTR SNPs rs53576(A > G) (P = 0.008) and rs237885(T > G) (P = 0.025) with a diagnosis of schizophrenia. Post-hoc ANCOVA revealed significant associations of OXTR SNPs rs53576 with general psychopathology and rs237902 with negative symptom scores in schizophrenic patients.CONCLUSIONS: Our findings support hypotheses about an involvement of oxytocinergic gene variants in schizophrenia vulnerability and warrant independent replication.

AB - OBJECTIVES: Dysfunctions of the "social brain" belong to the core features of schizophrenia. The neurohormone oxytocin (OXT), mediated through its specific receptor (OXTR), is involved in the regulation of social behaviour and social cognition. Previous research has suggested a role of OXT system genes in disorders of social reciprocity. Preliminary evidence points to an association of peripheral OXT levels as well as OXT and OXTR gene polymorphisms with psychotic symptoms and treatment response in schizophrenia. This study aims to determine a possible contribution of OXT and OXTR genetic variations to schizophrenia susceptibility.METHODS: Using n = 406 individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia according to DSM-IV and n = 406 healthy controls matched for age and gender in a case-control design, two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within the OXT gene (rs2740204, rs2740210) and four SNPs within the OXTR gene (rs53576, rs237880, rs237885, rs237902) that were previously investigated in other studies were genotyped.RESULTS: Chi(2)-testing suggested significant associations of OXTR SNPs rs53576(A > G) (P = 0.008) and rs237885(T > G) (P = 0.025) with a diagnosis of schizophrenia. Post-hoc ANCOVA revealed significant associations of OXTR SNPs rs53576 with general psychopathology and rs237902 with negative symptom scores in schizophrenic patients.CONCLUSIONS: Our findings support hypotheses about an involvement of oxytocinergic gene variants in schizophrenia vulnerability and warrant independent replication.

KW - Adolescent

KW - Adult

KW - Aged

KW - Case-Control Studies

KW - Female

KW - Genetic Predisposition to Disease

KW - Genotype

KW - Humans

KW - Male

KW - Middle Aged

KW - Oxytocin

KW - Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide

KW - Receptors, Oxytocin

KW - Risk

KW - Schizophrenia

KW - Young Adult

U2 - 10.3109/15622975.2012.677547

DO - 10.3109/15622975.2012.677547

M3 - SCORING: Journal article

C2 - 22651577

VL - 14

SP - 500

EP - 508

JO - WORLD J BIOL PSYCHIA

JF - WORLD J BIOL PSYCHIA

SN - 1562-2975

IS - 7

ER -