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

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 Vi

SUBMITTER: Ludwig B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9172116 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature