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Antisocial behavior and polymorphisms in the oxytocin receptor gene: findings in two independent samples

Molecular Psychiatry volume 21, pages 983–988 (2016)Cite this article

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Abstract

The quantitative genetic contribution to antisocial behavior is well established, but few, if any, genetic variants are established as risk factors. Emerging evidence suggests that the neuropeptide oxytocin (OXT) may modulate interpersonal aggression. We here investigated whether single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the OXT receptor gene (OXTR) are associated with the expression of antisocial behavior. A discovery sample, including both sexes, was drawn from the Child and Adolescent Twin Study in Sweden (CATSS; n=2372), and a sample from the Twin Study of Child and Adolescent Development (TCHAD; n=1232) was used for replication. Eight SNPs in OXTR, selected on previous associations with social and antisocial behavior, were genotyped in the participants of CATSS. Significant polymorphisms were subsequently genotyped in TCHAD for replication. Participants completed self-assessment questionnaires—Life History of Aggression (LHA; available only in CATSS), and Self-Reported Delinquency (SRD; available in both samples)—designed to capture antisocial behavior as continuous traits. In the discovery sample, the rs7632287 AA genotype was associated with higher frequency of antisocial behavior in boys, and this was then replicated in the second sample. In particular, overt aggression (directly targeting another individual) was strongly associated with this genotype in boys (P=6.2 × 10−7 in the discovery sample). Meta-analysis of the results for antisocial behavior from both samples yielded P=2.5 × 10−5. Furthermore, an association between rs4564970 and LHA (P=0.00013) survived correction in the discovery sample, but there was no association with the SRD in the replication sample. We conclude that the rs7632287 and rs4564970 polymorphisms in OXTR may independently influence antisocial behavior in adolescent boys. Further replication of our results will be crucial to understanding how aberrant social behavior arises, and would support the OXT receptor as one potential target in the treatment of aggressive antisocial behavior.

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Acknowledgements

This research was supported by grants from the Swedish Research Council, Swedish Research Council for Working Life and Social Research, The Society of Swedish Literature in Finland and the Söderström-Königska Foundation. The research leading to these results has also received funding from the European Union Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013) under grant agreement no 602768.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden

    D Hovey, M Lindstedt, A Zettergren, L Jonsson, A Johansson, J Melke & L Westberg

  2. Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden

    A Zettergren

  3. Department of Behavioral Sciences and Philosophy, University of Turku, Turku, Finland

    A Johansson

  4. Centre for Ethics, Law and Mental Health (CELAM), University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden

    N Kerekes, H Anckarsäter & S Lundström

  5. R&D Unit, Swedish Prison and Probation Service, Gothenburg, Sweden

    N Kerekes & S Lundström

  6. Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden

    P Lichtenstein

  7. Gillberg Neuropsychiatry Centre, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden

    S Lundström

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  1. D Hovey
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Hovey, D., Lindstedt, M., Zettergren, A. et al. Antisocial behavior and polymorphisms in the oxytocin receptor gene: findings in two independent samples. Mol Psychiatry 21, 983–988 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1038/mp.2015.144

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