title: Disadvantage of Social Sensitivity: Interaction of Oxytocin Receptor Genotype and Child Maltreatment on Brain Structure.
abstract: Oxytocin has received much attention as a prosocial and anxiolytic neuropeptide. In human studies, the G-allele of a common variant (rs53576) in the oxytocin receptor gene (OXTR) has been associated with protective properties such as reduced stress response and higher receptiveness for social support. In contrast, recent studies suggest a detrimental role of the rs53576 G-allele in the context of childhood maltreatment. To further elucidate the role of OXTR, gene by maltreatment interactions on brain structure and function were investigated.
  
  
  
  Three hundred nine healthy participants genotyped for OXTR rs53576 underwent structural as well as functional magnetic resonance imaging during a common emotional face-matching task. Childhood maltreatment was assessed with the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ). Gray matter volumes were investigated by means of voxel-based morphometry across the entire brain.
  
  
  
  Structural magnetic resonance imaging data revealed a strong interaction of rs53576 genotype and CTQ scores, mapping specifically to the bilateral ventral striatum. GG homozygotes but not A-allele carriers showed strong gray matter reduction with increasing CTQ scores. In turn, lower ventral striatum gray matter volumes were associated with lower reward dependence, a prosocial trait. Furthermore, the G-allele was associated with increased amygdala responsiveness to emotional facial expressions.
  
  
  
  The findings suggest that the G-allele constitutes a vulnerability factor for specific alterations of limbic brain structure in individuals with adverse childhood experiences, complemented by increased limbic responsiveness to emotional interpersonal stimuli. While oxytocinergic signaling facilitates attachment and bonding in supportive social environments, this attunement for social cues may turn disadvantageous under early adverse conditions.
authors: Department of Psychiatry, University of Münster, Münster; Department of Psychiatry, University of Marburg, Marburg. Electronic address: dannlow@uni-muenster.de.
authors: Udo
authors: U
authors: Dannlowski
authors: Department of Clinical Radiology, University of Münster, Münster.
authors: Harald
authors: H
authors: Kugel
authors: Department of Psychiatry, University of Münster, Münster.
authors: Dominik
authors: D
authors: Grotegerd
authors: Department of Psychiatry, University of Münster, Münster.
authors: Ronny
authors: R
authors: Redlich
authors: Department of Psychiatry, University of Münster, Münster.
authors: Nils
authors: N
authors: Opel
authors: Department of Psychiatry, University of Münster, Münster.
authors: Katharina
authors: K
authors: Dohm
authors: Department of Psychiatry, University of Münster, Münster.
authors: Dario
authors: D
authors: Zaremba
authors: Department of Psychiatry, University of Münster, Münster.
authors: Anne
authors: A
authors: Grögler
authors: Department of Psychiatry, University of Münster, Münster.
authors: Juliane
authors: J
authors: Schwieren
authors: Department of Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University of Leipzig, Leipzig.
authors: Thomas
authors: T
authors: Suslow
authors: Department of Psychiatry, University of Münster, Münster.
authors: Patricia
authors: P
authors: Ohrmann
authors: Department of Psychiatry, University of Münster, Münster.
authors: Jochen
authors: J
authors: Bauer
authors: Department of Psychiatry, University of Marburg, Marburg.
authors: Axel
authors: A
authors: Krug
authors: Department of Psychiatry, University of Marburg, Marburg.
authors: Tilo
authors: T
authors: Kircher
authors: Department of Psychiatry, University of Marburg, Marburg.
authors: Andreas
authors: A
authors: Jansen
authors: Department of Psychiatry, University of Würzburg, Würzburg.
authors: Katharina
authors: K
authors: Domschke
authors: Department of Psychiatry, University of Münster, Münster.
authors: Christa
authors: C
authors: Hohoff
authors: Department of Psychology, University of Münster, Münster.
authors: Pienie
authors: P
authors: Zwitserlood
authors: Department of Psychology, University Medical Center, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany; Freiburg Brain Imaging Center, University Medical Center, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.
authors: Markus
authors: M
authors: Heinrichs
authors: Department of Psychiatry, University of Münster, Münster.
authors: Volker
authors: V
authors: Arolt
authors: Department of Clinical Radiology, University of Münster, Münster.
authors: Walter
authors: W
authors: Heindel
authors: Discipline of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia.
authors: Bernhard T
authors: BT
authors: Baune
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002649:Child Abuse / Q000523:psychology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004644:Emotions; D005149:Facial Expression; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D066128:Gray Matter / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008032:Limbic System / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide / Q000235:genetics*; D018045:Receptors, Oxytocin / Q000235:genetics*; D012201:Reward; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology / Q000523:psychology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D018045:Receptors, Oxytocin; D010100:Oxygen
keywords: Amygdala; Oxytocin; Reward dependence; VBM; Ventral striatum; fMRI