Sex-specific association of a common GNAS polymorphism with self-reported cognitive empathy in healthy volunteers.

ABSTRACT:

Background

In a recent study, we found associations of a common oxytocin receptor (OXTR) polymorphism with inter-individual differences in empathy, especially with emotional empathy in women. Many other studies found specific associations of oxytocin, arginine-vasopressin, serotonin and dopamine receptor gene polymorphisms with various aspects of trait empathy. As all these receptors belong to the guanine-binding protein (G protein) coupled receptor family, it is a reasonable assumption, that alterations in genes encoding G protein subunits also influence the signal transduction in empathy related circuits. However, to the best of our knowledge, these genomic variations have not yet been studied in genetic research on empathy.

Methods

Here, we analysed associations of a comm

SUBMITTER: Huetter FK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6203261 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature