Effects of oxytocin function and autism spectrum disorder tendency on attachment relationships and depression affinity personality

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K15707
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 52030:Psychiatry-related
• Research Institution: Yamagata University
• Principal Investigator: Shirata Toshinori 山形大学, 医学部, 講師 (50772943)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: オキシトシン / 自閉スペクトラム症 / 愛着関係 / パーソナリティ

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Five-hundred ninety subjects enrolled in the present study. Autism spectrum tendencies, attachment relationships between parent and child, and personality traits related to depression of the subjects were assessed using self-administered questionnaire, genetic polymorphisms of oxytocin receptors and μ-opioid receptors were identified by PCR methods, and plasma oxytocin levels were measured　using ELISA. The results obtained and secondary endpoints yielded the following research findings. (1) Oxytocin receptor genetic polymorphism (rs53576) influences harm avoidance tendencies associated with depression while interacting with parenting attitudes. (2) A genetic polymorphism of the μ-opioid receptor (A118G) affects sociotropy and interpersonal sensitivity associated with depression. These findings were made public in the form of an article and in the scientific meetings.

Free Research Field

精神遺伝学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

これまでうつ病親和性性格とうつ病、自閉症スペクトラム症と不安定な愛着関係、自閉症スペクトラム症とオキシトシン機能、それぞれの関係を検討した報告はあるが、オキシトシン受容体の遺伝子多型、血漿オキシトシン濃度、自閉スペクトラム症傾向、愛着関係、うつ病親和性の性格傾向を包括的に検討した研究は行われていない。従って、本研究は学術的独自性と創造性が高いものであると考えられる。本研究により、オキシトシン受容体の遺伝子多型が養育態度と相互作用してうつ病に関連する性格傾向に影響を与えることが判明したが、この成果が自閉スペクトラム症患者におけるうつ病併発の病態解明や予防につながるものと考えられる。