Oxytocin Receptor Gene and Parental Bonding Modulate Prefrontal Responses to Cries: a NIRS Study

Overview

Journal Sci Rep

Specialty Science

Date 2020 May 24

PMID 32444796

Citations 9

Authors

Ilaria Cataldo

Michelle Jin-Yee Neoh

Wei Fang Chew

Jia Nee Foo

Bruno Lepri

Gianluca Esposito

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

The ability to interpret and regulate emotions relies on experiences of emotional socialization, obtained firstly through the interaction with the parents, and on genetic features that affect how individuals take on social situations. Evidence from the genetic field states that specific allelic variations of the oxytocin receptor gene polymorphisms regulate physiological modulation of human behavior, especially concerning responses to social cues and affiliative behaviors. Starting from this gene-by-environment interaction frame, we assessed 102 young adults for OXTr rs53576 and rs2254298, recalled parental bonding (using the Parental Bonding Instrument), and recorded participants' neural responses to social stressors using Near InfraRed Spectroscopy (NIRS). The results highlight that higher genetic susceptibility (G/G homozygous) to familiar context and positive early life interactions modulate more optimal neural responses to general social cues, in terms of promptness to action. With regards to the dimensions of parental bonding, we found lateralized effects, with greater activation in the right prefrontal cortex for Care subscales, and on the left side of the prefrontal cortex for Overprotection. Results provide evidence to understand the neurological mechanisms behind the negative impact of poor parenting practices on the child.

Citing Articles

Birthing parents' neural response to infant cry: moderating effects of oxytocin and perceived childhood care.

Grande L, Xie Y, Zagoory-Sharon O, Watamura S, Watamura S, Yeh T Soc Cogn Affect Neurosci. 2025; 20(1).

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Coregulation: A Multilevel Approach via Biology and Behavior.

Bornstein M, Esposito G Children (Basel). 2023; 10(8).

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Oxytocinergic modulation of speech production-a double-blind placebo-controlled fMRI study.

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A Scientometric Review of Infant Cry and Caregiver Responsiveness: Literature Trends and Research Gaps over 60 Years of Developmental Study.

Carollo A, Montefalcone P, Bornstein M, Esposito G Children (Basel). 2023; 10(6).

PMID: 37371273 PMC: 10297674. DOI: 10.3390/children10061042.

Gene-Environment Interactions in Face Categorization: Oxytocin Receptor Genotype x Childcare Experience Shortens Reaction Time.

Neoh M, Setoh P, Bizzego A, Tandiono M, Foo J, Lee A Front Psychol. 2022; 13:873676.

PMID: 35756198 PMC: 9222134. DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.873676.

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