Oxytocin receptor gene methylation as a molecular marker for severity of depressive symptoms in affective disorder patients

BMC Psychiatry

卷:22

Helmuth Haslacher¹  Martin Aigner²  Melanie Zotter³  Alexandra Bernegger³  Nicolas Schmelzle³  Monika Fuxjäger³  Birgit Ludwig³  Romina Koller³  Marleen M. M. Swoboda³  Michelle Inaner³  Klemens Kienesberger³  Alexandra Schosser³  Laura Carlberg³  Siegfried Kasper³  Patrick Swoboda³  Nestor D. Kapusta⁴  Jasmin Huber⁵  Silvia Schoenthaler⁵  Andreas Weinhaeusel⁵  Birgit Senft⁶  Lisa Meisner⁶  Daniela Fischer-Hansal⁶ 

[1] Department of Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of Vienna;

[2] Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Karl Landsteiner University for Health and Science;

[3] Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna;

[4] Department of Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna;

[5] Health & Environment Department, Molecular Diagnostics Unit, AIT Austrian Institute of Technology;

[6] Zentren Für Seelische Gesundheit, BBRZ-Med;

关键词: Oxytocin Receptor Gene;    Methylation;    Major depression;    Bipolar disorder;    Depressive episode;    Childhood trauma questionnaire;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12888-022-04031-w

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Abstract Background Oxytocin (OXT) is a neuropeptide and hormone involved in emotional functioning and also seems to play a role in moderating the stress response. Both preclinical and clinical studies point to an increased methylation status of the Oxytocin receptor (OXTR) promoter region with concomitant deficits in social, cognitive and emotional functioning. We hypothesize that methylation levels (%) of the oxytocin receptor promoter region correlate with the severity of depression symptoms and/or with the severity of childhood trauma within this present sample of affective disorder patients. Methodology Eight hundred forty six (846) affective disorder patients of Central European origin were recruited at the Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy of the Medical University Vienna, the Karl Landsteiner University for Health and Science and Zentren für seelische Gesundheit, BBRZ-Med Leopoldau. Psychiatric assessment included a semi-structured diagnostic interview (Schedules for Clinical Assessment in Neuropsychiatry), the Hamilton Depression Scale and the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire. Concomitantly DNA samples of peripheral blood cells were collected for Multiplexed and Sensitive DNA Methylation Testing. Results Our data suggests a positive but not significant association between OXTR promoter Exons 1–3 methylation levels and severity of depression symptoms as well as severity of emotional neglect in affective disorder patients and no association with childhood trauma. Conclusions Our findings contribute to elucidate the role of OXTR in affective disorders, but further longitudinal studies in particular are necessary to broaden the current state of knowledge.

【 授权许可】

Unknown