Epigenetic variability in the human oxytocin receptor (OXTR) gene: A possible pathway from early life experiences to psychopathologies

• Published in: Neuroscience and biobehavioral reviews 2019-01, Vol.96, p.127-142
• Main Authors: Kraaijenvanger, Eline J., He, Yujie, Spencer, Hannah, Smith, Alicia K., Bos, Peter A., Boks, Marco P.M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: DNA methylation; Early life experiences; Epigenetics; Human behavior; Oxytocin receptor gene
• ISSN: 0149-7634; 1873-7528
• DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2018.11.016

•The oxytocin system is central in social behaviors and multiple psychopathologies.•Methylation enables flexible regulation of the oxytocin system in diverse environments.•Variations in methylation patterns can impact disease susceptibility.•Enabling comparison across studies is paramount in future studies. The human oxytocin (OXT) system is implicated in the regulation of complex social behaviors, as well as in psychopathologies characterized by social deficits. Emerging evidence suggests that variation in epigenetic regulation of the oxytocin receptor gene (OXTR) provides the oxytocin system with flexibility in response to environmental events, especially those occurring during early childhood. Changes in DNA methylation patterns of OXTR associated with these events may reflect biological alterations of social sensitivity. This is often related to an increased risk of developing mental disorders later in life. Here, we systematically reviewed all human studies (n = 30) discussing OXTR methylation in relation to socio-behavioral phenotypes. As such, we provide a complete and up-to-date overview of the literature that will aid future research in the interdisciplinary field of epigenetics and socio-behavioral sciences.