Revisiting the impact of OXTR rs53576 on empathy: A population-based study and a meta-analysis.
Oxytocin in the brain is related to empathy, which refers to the ability to understand and share others' internal states or responses. Previous studies have investigated the impact of OXTR rs53576, the most intensively examined polymorphism in the oxytocin receptor (OXTR) gene, on individual differences in empathy. However, these studies produced inconsistent results. In the current study, we reexamined the association of OXTR rs53576 with empathy in a relatively large population (N=1830) and also evaluated the association by a comprehensive meta-analysis (N=6631, 13 independent samples). The replication study indicated that OXTR rs53576 was indeed associated with individual differences in empathy. Individuals with a greater number of G alleles showed better empathic ability, particularly in fantasizing other's feelings and actions. The meta-analysis not only confirmed this association, but also indicated that the impact of this polymorphism was significant in both Europeans and Asians. These findings provide convincing evidence for the impact of OXTR rs53576 on empathy, highlighting the importance of OXTR gene in individuals' social cognition.
Key Laboratory of Resource Biology and Biotechnology in Western China, Ministry of Education, Northwest University, Xi'an 710069, China; Shaanxi Key Laboratory for Animal Conservation, Northwest University, Xi'an 710069, China. Electronic address: gpy1026@163.com.
Pingyuan
P
Gong
College of Education and Sports, Bohai University, Jinzhou 121013, China.
Huiyong
H
Fan
Research Center for Brain Function and Psychological Science, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China.
Jinting
J
Liu
Key Laboratory of Resource Biology and Biotechnology in Western China, Ministry of Education, Northwest University, Xi'an 710069, China.
Xing
X
Yang
Key Laboratory of Resource Biology and Biotechnology in Western China, Ministry of Education, Northwest University, Xi'an 710069, China.
Kejin
K
Zhang
Center for Brain and Cognitive Sciences and School of Psychological and Cognitive Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Behavior and Mental Health, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China; PKU-IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China. Electronic address: xz104@pku.edu.cn.
Xiaolin
X
Zhou
D000483:Alleles; D044466:Asian People / Q000235:genetics; D002681:China; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology; D004644:Emotions / Q000502:physiology; D004645:Empathy / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D005787:Gene Frequency / Q000235:genetics; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010121:Oxytocin / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide / Q000235:genetics; D018045:Receptors, Oxytocin / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D012919:Social Behavior; D044465:White People / Q000235:genetics; D055815:Young Adult
C569600:OXTR protein, human; D018045:Receptors, Oxytocin; D010121:Oxytocin
Association analysis; Empathy; Meta-analysis; Oxytocin; Polymorphism