Abstract：
Oxytocin (OXT) is a neuropeptide and hormone involved in emotional functioning and also seems to play a role in moderating the stress response. Both preclinical and clinical studies point to an increased methylation status of the Oxytocin receptor (OXTR) promoter region with concomitant deficits in social, cognitive and emotional functioning. We hypothesize that methylation levels (%) of the oxytocin receptor promoter region correlate with the severity of depression symptoms and/or with the severity of childhood trauma within this present sample of affective disorder patients.
Eight hundred forty six (846) affective disorder patients of Central European origin were recruited at the Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy of the Medical University Vienna, the Karl Landsteiner University for Health and Science and Zentren für seelische Gesundheit, BBRZ-Med Leopoldau. Psychiatric assessment included a semi-structured diagnostic interview (Schedules for Clinical Assessment in Neuropsychiatry), the Hamilton Depression Scale and the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire. Concomitantly DNA samples of peripheral blood cells were collected for Multiplexed and Sensitive DNA Methylation Testing.
Our data suggests a positive but not significant association between OXTR promoter Exons 1-3 methylation levels and severity of depression symptoms as well as severity of emotional neglect in affective disorder patients and no association with childhood trauma.
Our findings contribute to elucidate the role of OXTR in affective disorders, but further longitudinal studies in particular are necessary to broaden the current state of knowledge.
Eight hundred forty six (846) affective disorder patients of Central European origin were recruited at the Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy of the Medical University Vienna, the Karl Landsteiner University for Health and Science and Zentren für seelische Gesundheit, BBRZ-Med Leopoldau. Psychiatric assessment included a semi-structured diagnostic interview (Schedules for Clinical Assessment in Neuropsychiatry), the Hamilton Depression Scale and the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire. Concomitantly DNA samples of peripheral blood cells were collected for Multiplexed and Sensitive DNA Methylation Testing.
Our data suggests a positive but not significant association between OXTR promoter Exons 1-3 methylation levels and severity of depression symptoms as well as severity of emotional neglect in affective disorder patients and no association with childhood trauma.
Our findings contribute to elucidate the role of OXTR in affective disorders, but further longitudinal studies in particular are necessary to broaden the current state of knowledge.
摘要：
催产素（OXT）是一种参与情绪功能的神经肽和激素，似乎也在调节应激反应中起作用。临床前和临床研究都指出催产素受体（OXTR）启动子区的甲基化状态增加，并伴随着社会缺陷，认知和情感功能。我们假设催产素受体启动子区的甲基化水平（％）与抑郁症状的严重程度和/或与本情感障碍患者样本中儿童创伤的严重程度相关。
维也纳医科大学精神病学和心理治疗系招募了八百四十六（846）中欧血统的情感障碍患者，卡尔·兰德施泰纳健康与科学大学和ZentrenfürseelischeGesundheit，BBRZ-MedLeopoldau.精神病学评估包括半结构化诊断访谈（神经精神病学临床评估时间表），汉密尔顿抑郁量表和儿童创伤问卷。同时收集外周血细胞的DNA样品用于多重和敏感DNA甲基化测试。
我们的数据表明，在情感障碍患者中，OXTR启动子外显子1-3甲基化水平与抑郁症状的严重程度以及情感忽视的严重程度之间存在正相关，但不显著，与童年创伤无关。
我们的发现有助于阐明OXTR在情感障碍中的作用，但特别是进一步的纵向研究对于扩大当前的知识状态是必要的。
维也纳医科大学精神病学和心理治疗系招募了八百四十六（846）中欧血统的情感障碍患者，卡尔·兰德施泰纳健康与科学大学和ZentrenfürseelischeGesundheit，BBRZ-MedLeopoldau.精神病学评估包括半结构化诊断访谈（神经精神病学临床评估时间表），汉密尔顿抑郁量表和儿童创伤问卷。同时收集外周血细胞的DNA样品用于多重和敏感DNA甲基化测试。
我们的数据表明，在情感障碍患者中，OXTR启动子外显子1-3甲基化水平与抑郁症状的严重程度以及情感忽视的严重程度之间存在正相关，但不显著，与童年创伤无关。
我们的发现有助于阐明OXTR在情感障碍中的作用，但特别是进一步的纵向研究对于扩大当前的知识状态是必要的。
