Oxytocin pathway gene networks in the human brain

Daniel S. Quintana (), Jaroslav Rokicki, Dennis Meer, Dag Alnæs, Tobias Kaufmann, Aldo Córdova-Palomera, Ingrid Dieset, Ole A. Andreassen and Lars T. Westlye
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Daniel S. Quintana: University of Oslo, and Oslo University Hospital
Jaroslav Rokicki: University of Oslo, and Oslo University Hospital
Dennis Meer: University of Oslo, and Oslo University Hospital
Dag Alnæs: University of Oslo, and Oslo University Hospital
Tobias Kaufmann: University of Oslo, and Oslo University Hospital
Aldo Córdova-Palomera: University of Oslo, and Oslo University Hospital
Ingrid Dieset: University of Oslo, and Oslo University Hospital
Ole A. Andreassen: University of Oslo, and Oslo University Hospital
Lars T. Westlye: University of Oslo, and Oslo University Hospital

Nature Communications, 2019, vol. 10, issue 1, 1-12

Abstract: Abstract Oxytocin is a neuropeptide involved in animal and human reproductive and social behavior. Three oxytocin signaling genes have been frequently implicated in human social behavior: OXT (structural gene for oxytocin), OXTR (oxytocin receptor), and CD38 (oxytocin secretion). Here, we characterized the distribution of OXT, OXTR, and CD38 mRNA across the human brain by creating voxel-by-voxel volumetric expression maps, and identified putative gene pathway interactions by comparing gene expression patterns across 20,737 genes. Expression of the three selected oxytocin pathway genes was enriched in subcortical and olfactory regions and there was high co-expression with several dopaminergic and muscarinic acetylcholine genes, reflecting an anatomical basis for critical gene pathway interactions. fMRI meta-analysis revealed that the oxytocin pathway gene maps correspond with the processing of anticipatory, appetitive, and aversive cognitive states. The oxytocin signaling system may interact with dopaminergic and muscarinic acetylcholine signaling to modulate cognitive state processes involved in complex human behaviors.

Date: 2019
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-08503-8

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