Gene variant linked to larger brain memory center, hinting at social skills
A study of 30,000 people finds that a specific genetic variation in the oxytocin receptor gene is associated with larger hippocampal volume—the brain region critical for memory and social recognition. The discovery bridges genetics and brain structure, potentially opening pathways for understanding social-cognitive differences and informing future interventions in mental health and social function.
Originaltitel: Associations between genetic variations in oxytocin pathway genes and hippocampal volume: Insights from the UK Biobank
<p>The role of oxytocin-related genes in social-cognitive function has been previously established, but structural brain mechanisms underlying this link remain poorly understood. Utilizing a substantial dataset from the UK Biobank (N ≈ 30,000), this research determined associations between variations in ten single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within three oxytocin pathway genes (i.e., the oxytocin/neurophysin I prepropetide gene, the cluster of differentiation 38 glycoprotein gene, the oxytocin receptor gene) and whole-brain gray matter volume. Carriers of the AA or AG genotypes of the oxytocin receptor gene rs237851 SNP exhibited significantly larger hippocampal volume than carriers of the GG genotype. These results support the link between variations in the oxytocin receptor gene and hippocampal structure, with possible impact on social-cognitive function such as social recognition memory.</p>