A mutation that could indicate a person’s tendency to depression was studied by scientists from the Northern Research Institute of Medical Problems (it is part of the Krasnoyarsk Scientific Center of the SB RAS). To do this, they took DNA samples from 631 adolescents aged 11 to 18 living in large cities of the Angara-Yenisei macroregion, which includes the Krasnoyarsk Territory, the Irkutsk Region, the Republic of Khakassia and the Republic of Tyva. Article about this he came out recently in the Siberian Scientific Medical Journal.
However, it is not only external factors that change behaviour, but also a set of neurotransmitters such as dopamine, serotonin and oxytocin.
At the Institute for Scientific Research on Medical Problems of the North, 15 different neurotransmitters and 20 mutations that guarantee their function are studied. In the latest published work, attention is paid specifically to oxytocin, which, as is known, influences the creation of social connections in a person from an early age, the presence of empathy – compassion for other people and adequate evaluation of oneself. Despite the fact that its influence on the psycho-emotional state manifests itself differently in everyone (age, gender and even ethnocultural factors are important here), there are a number of studies showing a connection between human behaviour and variability in one of its oxytocin receptors: the OXTR gene.
A group of study participants, which included 259 boys and 372 girls from 13 schools in Eastern Siberia, were tested using special questionnaires and a biomaterial – saliva – was taken from each to extract DNA.
One of the questionnaires used was the test of a psychiatrist, professor at the London Institute of Psychiatry, Robert Goodman. It was used to evaluate children’s emotional characteristics, behavioral problems, the presence (or absence) of hyperactivity, the degree of attention, the level of relationships with peers and overall social status.
According to one of the authors of the article, head of the molecular genetics research group Marina Smolnikova, schoolchildren were offered 25 different statements, such as: “I am attentive to the feelings of loved ones”, “I don’t care what others think about me ”, etc. They had to respond to each statement positively, negatively or provide an intermediate rating. All their answers were summarized and finally transformed into scores, with which the researchers evaluated their psychotypes and determined the possible reactions in certain ones. situations.
Experts supported the results of a psychological survey with an assessment of OXTR gene variants. It turned out that some had the G variant in a certain region of this oxytocin receptor gene, while others had the A variant.
“Presumably, option G is associated with more intense oxytocin receptor activity and an increased level of social sensitivity,” explain the authors of the article. – The presence of the G allele (variant) correlates (according to the results of psychological tests) with a good ability of the young person to cope with a depressed psychological state. Carriers of this allele have also been found to have higher self-esteem, willpower and an optimistic outlook on life.
A genetic variant with variant A has turned out (even if only in relation to the results of the investigation) to be associated with a tendency towards depression or sadness in adolescents. The scientists also cite as examples a number of other studies in which the A variant had previously been discovered in people with social and maternal behaviour disorders, aggression and suicidal tendencies. The reason for all this lies precisely in the fact that an insufficiently active receptor in the genome did not allow oxytocin to manifest its effect in the organism.
According to the results of the research, variant A, which limits the effect of oxytocin, turned out to be characteristic of a smaller percentage of schoolchildren – the majority turned out to be carriers of the “healthy” variant of the gene – G. In addition, the i researchers found that the A variant is slightly more common in boys than in girls.
Marina Smolnikova emphasizes that on the basis of the identified mutation in a gene of the oxytocin receptor, which, according to the questionnaire, coincided with deviant (different from the norm) behavioral traits of some adolescents, it is impossible to give a definitive characterization of the personality. This requires an integrated approach and the study of possible polymorphism in the genes of other neurotransmitters, which is what scientists at the research institute are currently doing.
By the way, experts do not exclude that genetically determined personality characteristics, even if associated with insufficient action of oxytocin, can be smoothed out if the child from early childhood is in a favorable environment with favorable conditions that harmoniously influence the development of its individual characteristics.
What role does the oxytocin receptor gene (OXTR) play in adolescents’ emotional and social behaviors?
Interview between Time.news Editor and Marina Smolnikova, Head of the Molecular Genetics Research Group at the Northern Research Institute of Medical Problems
Time.news Editor: Good day, Marina. Thank you for joining us today to discuss your fascinating work on the link between genetic variants and depression in adolescents. To kick things off, can you explain how your research team selected the 631 participants from the Angara-Yenisei macroregion?
Marina Smolnikova: Thank you for having me! Our team was particularly interested in understanding the genetic and psychological factors that contribute to depression among young people in populated areas. We selected adolescents aged 11 to 18 from large cities in the Krasnoyarsk Territory, Irkutsk Region, the Republic of Khakassia, and the Republic of Tyva to get a diverse cohort that represents various socio-cultural backgrounds.
Time.news Editor: That makes a lot of sense. You focused on the oxytocin receptor gene, OXTR. Why is this gene significant when looking at emotional and social behaviors in adolescents?
Marina Smolnikova: The OXTR gene is crucial because it plays a central role in the functioning of oxytocin, often called the ‘love hormone’ or ‘bonding hormone.’ It influences social behaviors, including empathy, trust, and social connection. Adolescence is a key developmental stage for establishing social relationships, so understanding its impact can give us valuable insights into emotional well-being and potential vulnerabilities to conditions like depression.
Time.news Editor: In your research, you found a significant link between the G variant of the OXTR gene and better coping mechanisms against depression. Can you elaborate on this finding?
Marina Smolnikova: Certainly! We observed that participants with the G allele showed enhanced oxytocin receptor activity, which appeared to correlate with higher social sensitivity and stronger emotional resilience. In our assessments, these individuals exhibited traits such as higher self-esteem and a more optimistic outlook, making them better equipped to handle stressful situations that might lead to depression.
Time.news Editor: That’s encouraging. Conversely, the A variant of the OXTR gene seemed to be associated with a tendency towards sadness and depression. How could this information be utilized in practical settings, such as schools or mental health services?
Marina Smolnikova: Identifying adolescents who might be genetically predisposed to depression could help us intervene earlier, with tailored support strategies. Schools could benefit from this knowledge by fostering environments that enhance social connections and emotional literacy. Mental health professionals can also use genetic insights to understand their patients better and develop personalized treatment plans.
Time.news Editor: Absolutely, it seems crucial for improving mental health outcomes. In your studies, what kind of psychological assessments did the participants undergo?
Marina Smolnikova: We used a combination of questionnaires that evaluated emotional characteristics, behavioral issues, and social relationships. One example was a test developed by Robert Goodman, which provided a detailed snapshot of each adolescent’s emotional health, attention levels, and social status. By pairing those results with genetic data from saliva samples, we could gain comprehensive insights into the interplay between genetics and behaviour.
Time.news Editor: That holistic approach is fascinating. Given the significance of your findings, what are the next steps for your research team?
Marina Smolnikova: We aim to expand our study to include a larger, more diverse population to validate our findings further. Additionally, we want to explore how environmental factors and lifestyle choices interact with these genetic predispositions to influence mental health. Ultimately, we hope our research can contribute to developing preventive strategies and therapeutic interventions for at-risk youth.
Time.news Editor: Sounds like an important direction! Thank you, Marina, for sharing your insights today. It’s crucial work that could help many young people navigate their mental health challenges.
Marina Smolnikova: Thank you for featuring our work! I hope it raises awareness about the complexities of mental health and the interplay of genetics and environment.