title: An oxytocin receptor polymorphism predicts amygdala reactivity and antisocial behavior in men.
abstract: Variability in oxytocin (OXT) signaling is associated with individual differences in sex-specific social behavior across species. The effects of OXT signaling on social behavior are, in part, mediated through its modulation of amygdala function. Here, we use imaging genetics to examine sex-specific effects of three single-nucleotide polymorphisms in the human oxytocin receptor gene (OXTR; rs1042778, rs53576 and rs2254298) on threat-related amygdala reactivity and social behavior in 406 Caucasians. Analyses revealed that among men but not women, OXTR rs1042778 TT genotype was associated with increased right amygdala reactivity to angry facial expressions, which was uniquely related to higher levels of antisocial behavior among men. Moderated meditation analysis suggested a trending indirect effect of OXTR rs1042778 TT genotype on higher antisocial behavior via increased right amygdala reactivity to angry facial expressions in men. Our results provide evidence linking genetic variation in OXT signaling to individual differences in amygdala function. The results further suggest that these pathways may be uniquely important in shaping antisocial behavior in men.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA.
authors.forename: Rebecca
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Waller
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Washington University, St. Louis, USA.
authors.forename: Nadia S
authors.initials: NS
authors.lastname: Corral-Frías
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Washington University, St. Louis, USA.
authors.forename: Bianca
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Vannucci
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Washington University, St. Louis, USA.
authors.forename: Ryan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bogdan
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Duke University, Durham, USA.
authors.forename: Annchen R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Knodt
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Duke University, Durham, USA.
authors.forename: Ahmad R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Hariri
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA lukehyde@umich.edu.
authors.forename: Luke W
authors.initials: LW
authors.lastname: Hyde
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000679:Amygdala / Q000503:physiopathology*; D000786:Anger / Q000502:physiology*; D000987:Antisocial Personality Disorder / Q000235:genetics* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005149:Facial Expression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; D018045:Receptors, Oxytocin / Q000235:genetics*; D012737:Sex Factors; D012919:Social Behavior; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: C569600:OXTR protein, human; D018045:Receptors, Oxytocin
keywords: OXTR; aggression; amygdala; neuroimaging; neuroscience; oxytocin; psychopathology; rs1042778; violence