Oxytocin gene polymorphisms influence human dopaminergic function in a sex-dependent manner.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Oxytocin, classically involved in social and reproductive activities, is increasingly recognized as an antinociceptive and anxiolytic agent, effects which may be mediated via oxytocin's interactions with the dopamine system. Thus, genetic variation within the oxytocin gene (OXT) is likely to explain variability in dopamine-related stress responses. As such, we examined how OXT variation is associated with stress-induced dopaminergic neurotransmission in a healthy human sample.

Methods

Fifty-five young healthy volunteers were scanned using [¹¹C]raclopride positron emission tomography while they underwent a standardized physical and emotional stressor that consisted of moderate levels of experimental sustained deep muscle pain, and a baseline, control state. Four ha

SUBMITTER: Love TM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3392442 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature