Oxytocin receptor genetic variation relates to empathy and stress reactivity in humans.
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A
; 106(50): 21437-41, 2009 Dec 15.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-19934046
ABSTRACT
Oxytocin, a peptide that functions as both a hormone and neurotransmitter, has broad influences on social and emotional processing throughout the body and the brain. In this study, we tested how a polymorphism (rs53576) of the oxytocin receptor relates to two key social processes related to oxytocin empathy and stress reactivity. Compared with individuals homozygous for the G allele of rs53576 (GG), individuals with one or two copies of the A allele (AG/AA) exhibited lower behavioral and dispositional empathy, as measured by the "Reading the Mind in the Eyes" Test and an other-oriented empathy scale. Furthermore, AA/AG individuals displayed higher physiological and dispositional stress reactivity than GG individuals, as determined by heart rate response during a startle anticipation task and an affective reactivity scale. Our results provide evidence of how a naturally occurring genetic variation of the oxytocin receptor relates to both empathy and stress profiles.
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Polimorfismo Genético
/
Estresse Fisiológico
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Receptores de Ocitocina
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Empatia
Limite:
Adult
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Female
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Humans
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Male
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A
Ano de publicação:
2009
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Estados Unidos