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Oxytocin pathway gene networks in the human brain

Author

Listed:
  • Daniel S. Quintana

    (University of Oslo, and Oslo University Hospital)

  • Jaroslav Rokicki

    (University of Oslo, and Oslo University Hospital
    University of Oslo)

  • Dennis Meer

    (University of Oslo, and Oslo University Hospital)

  • Dag Alnæs

    (University of Oslo, and Oslo University Hospital)

  • Tobias Kaufmann

    (University of Oslo, and Oslo University Hospital)

  • Aldo Córdova-Palomera

    (University of Oslo, and Oslo University Hospital)

  • Ingrid Dieset

    (University of Oslo, and Oslo University Hospital)

  • Ole A. Andreassen

    (University of Oslo, and Oslo University Hospital)

  • Lars T. Westlye

    (University of Oslo, and Oslo University Hospital
    University of Oslo)

Abstract

Oxytocin is a neuropeptide involved in animal and human reproductive and social behavior. Three oxytocin signaling genes have been frequently implicated in human social behavior: OXT (structural gene for oxytocin), OXTR (oxytocin receptor), and CD38 (oxytocin secretion). Here, we characterized the distribution of OXT, OXTR, and CD38 mRNA across the human brain by creating voxel-by-voxel volumetric expression maps, and identified putative gene pathway interactions by comparing gene expression patterns across 20,737 genes. Expression of the three selected oxytocin pathway genes was enriched in subcortical and olfactory regions and there was high co-expression with several dopaminergic and muscarinic acetylcholine genes, reflecting an anatomical basis for critical gene pathway interactions. fMRI meta-analysis revealed that the oxytocin pathway gene maps correspond with the processing of anticipatory, appetitive, and aversive cognitive states. The oxytocin signaling system may interact with dopaminergic and muscarinic acetylcholine signaling to modulate cognitive state processes involved in complex human behaviors.

Suggested Citation

  • Daniel S. Quintana & Jaroslav Rokicki & Dennis Meer & Dag Alnæs & Tobias Kaufmann & Aldo Córdova-Palomera & Ingrid Dieset & Ole A. Andreassen & Lars T. Westlye, 2019. "Oxytocin pathway gene networks in the human brain," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 10(1), pages 1-12, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:10:y:2019:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-019-08503-8
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-08503-8
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    Cited by:

    1. Wang, Jian & Kim, Junseok & Shao, Wei & Nam, SeungHyon & Hong, Soon-Cheol, 2021. "Effect of oxytocin injection on fetal heart rate based on multifractal analysis," Chaos, Solitons & Fractals, Elsevier, vol. 148(C).
    2. Haakon Berven & Simon Kverneng & Erika Sheard & Mona Søgnen & Solveig Amdahl Af Geijerstam & Kristoffer Haugarvoll & Geir-Olve Skeie & Christian Dölle & Charalampos Tzoulis, 2023. "NR-SAFE: a randomized, double-blind safety trial of high dose nicotinamide riboside in Parkinson’s disease," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-13, December.

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