A number of studies have focused on the genetic association of the OXTR gene with autism, including negative association. Cohorts and populations that have shown positive associations include AGRE, Chinese Han, Caucasian, Japanese, Irish, Portuguese, US and the United Kingdom. In addition, one study (Gregory et al., 2009) found a rare deletion in the OXTR gene in an autistic family. Genetic association has also been found between OXTR and lower levels of difficulty hearing and understanding people in noisy environments (Tops et al., 2011).
Molecular Function
The protein encoded by this gene belongs to the G-protein coupled receptor family and acts as a receptor for oxytocin. Its activity is mediated by G proteins which activate a phosphatidylinositol-calcium second messenger system.
External Links
References
Type
Title
Type of Disorder
Associated Disorders
Author, Year
Primary
Positive association of the oxytocin receptor gene (OXTR) with autism in the Chinese Han population.
Meta-analysis of 2984 ASD families and 280 cases/440 controls from 6 independent samples (from Liu et al., 2010a; Tansey et al., 2010; and Campbell et al., 2011)
Meta-analysis of 2984 ASD families and 280 cases/440 controls from 6 independent samples (from Liu et al., 2010a; Tansey et al., 2010; and Campbell et al., 2011)
Meta-analysis of 2900 ASD families and 280 cases/440 controls from 6 independent samples (from Wu et al., 2005; Jacob et al., 2007; Liu et al., 2010; Wermter et al., 2010; and Campbell et al., 2011)
Homberg sample of 178 cases: 135 complete parent-offspring trios, 29 parent child duos; 89% Male; 72.8% high-functioning ASD (IQ70). Meta-analysis sample: two previously published studies (Tansey et al., 2010; Campbell et al., 2011) and two previously unpublished German cohorts from PMID 26788924
207 families with an ASD proband (diagnosed using ADOS, ADI-R, and confirmed according to DSM-IV-TR) recruited through the Developmental Disorders Clinic of the University of Chicago (UIC) Institute of Juvenile Research
207 families with an ASD proband (diagnosed using ADOS, ADI-R, and confirmed according to DSM-IV-TR) recruited through the Developmental Disorders Clinic of the University of Chicago (UIC) Institute of Juvenile Research
207 families with an ASD proband (diagnosed using ADOS, ADI-R, and confirmed according to DSM-IV-TR) recruited through the Developmental Disorders Clinic of the University of Chicago (UIC) Institute of Juvenile Research
207 families with an ASD proband (diagnosed using ADOS, ADI-R, and confirmed according to DSM-IV-TR) recruited through the Developmental Disorders Clinic of the University of Chicago (UIC) Institute of Juvenile Research
207 families with an ASD proband (diagnosed using ADOS, ADI-R, and confirmed according to DSM-IV-TR) recruited through the Developmental Disorders Clinic of the University of Chicago (UIC) Institute of Juvenile Research
Cohort of 341 ASD probands (mean age 10.6 years) consisting of 211 Caucasian probands (mean age 11.3 3.8 years, 22.8% female) and 130 non-Caucasian probands (mean age 9.8 4.0 years, 19.2% female)
Rescue Type:
RESCUE-Pharmaceutical
Rescue Paradigm:
A targeting vector with PGK-Neo cassette inserted into intron 3 along with three loxP sites around exons 2 and 3 and the PGK-Neo with administration of OT dissolved in artificial cerebrospinal fluid and ICV administration via an implanted cannula at a dose of 0.5 ng/2microl/mouse 10 mins before tests.
Treatment does not improve measured phenotype (was expected to do so)
Ameliorated
Treatment provides partial correction or improvement of measured phenotype
No adverse effect
Treatment does not affect the parameter adversely
Sustained effect
Treatment has long term effect of restoration or amelioration, tested AFTER stopping administration (not applied for continuing long-term treatment) . Will be applied only where treatment has had restorative effects during administration or in the first battery of tests conducted.
No sustained effect
Treatment has no long term of restoration or amelioration detectable, after stopping administration. Will be applied only where treatment has had restorative effects during administration or in the first battery of tests conducted.
Description: Eeg in terms of pattern of spike, spike numbers per 30 minutes, or latency to the first spike is restored to the same level as wild type
Exp Paradigm: Electroencephalograph (eeg) recording for pentylenetetrazole (ptz)-induced seizures
Description: Social exploration and recognition is restored to the same level as wild type
Exp Paradigm: Male mice: sociability and preference for social novelty test
Description: Increased days in reversal learning is refractory to oxytocin treatment if the animal is pretreated with selective v1a receptor antagonist sr49059
Exp Paradigm: Male mice: appetite-motivated t-maze test
Description: Increased incidence of ptz induced myoclonic seizures with reduced time latency Exp Paradigm: Male mice: eeg recordings after 30 mg/kg ptz administration
Description: Increased aggression as measured by number of attacks and attack and rattle latency Exp Paradigm: Male mice: observation of aggressoin against opponent mouse
Description: Decreased social memory indicated by same duration spent with stranger and the familiar mouse Exp Paradigm: Male mice: sociabliity and preference for social novelty test
Description: Decreased social interactions indicated by no change in time spent at cage occupied by unfamiliar mouse vs. empty cage Exp Paradigm: Male mice: sociabliity and preference for social novelty test
Description: Decreased cognitive flexibility indicated by slower reversal learning of baited arm Exp Paradigm: Male mice: appetite-motivated t-maze test