Steven M Kogan1, Junhan Cho2, Steven R H Beach3, Alicia K Smith4, Shota Nishitani5. 1. Department of Human Development and Family Science, University of Georgia, 305 Sanford Drive, Athens, GA, 30602, USA. Electronic address: smkogan@uga.edu. 2. Department of Preventive Medicine, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, 2001 North Soto Street, Office 302-02, Los Angeles, CA, 90089-9034, USA. Electronic address: junhan.cho@usc.edu. 3. Center for Family Research, University of Georgia, 1095 College Station Road, Athens, GA, 30602-4527, USA. Electronic address: srhbeach@uga.edu. 4. Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Emory University School of Medicine, 101 Woodruff Circle, Suite 4217, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA. Electronic address: alicia.smith@emory.edu. 5. Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Emory University School of Medicine, 101 Woodruff Circle, Suite 4217, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA. Electronic address: shota.nishitani@emory.edu.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Stressful or supportive social environments promote biological changes with regulatory implications for future relationships and substance abuse. Recent research suggests links between adverse social environments, prosocial relationships, methylation at the oxytocin receptor gene (OXTR), and substance abuse. The potential for OXTR methylation to act as the mechanism linking social environments to substance abuse has yet to be investigated. We hypothesized that, for young African American men, childhood adversity increases, and supportive, prosocial bonds with parents, peers, partners, and community mentors decrease OXTR methylation levels, which in turn predict increases in substance-related symptoms. METHODS: A sample of 358 rural African American men (age 19 at baseline) provided self-report data at three time points separated by 18 months and a genetic specimen at Time 2. RESULTS: Early adversity was associated with OXTR methylation indirectly via contemporary prosocial relationships. OXTR methylation was a proximal predictor of changes in substance-related symptoms. We found no evidence for a direct association of self-reported childhood trauma with OXTR methylation status. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that OXTR methylation is linked to substance use symptomatology, ostensibly resulting in increased expression of oxytocin (OT) in peripheral and central nervous systems. OXTR may act as a mechanism to explain how prosocial ties deter substance abuse and related problems. Despite conjectures in the literature that early adversity may become physiologically embedded via methylation in the OT system, direct effects were not evident. Rather, early adversity may affect OXTR methylation via influence on contemporary prosocial relationships.
BACKGROUND: Stressful or supportive social environments promote biological changes with regulatory implications for future relationships and substance abuse. Recent research suggests links between adverse social environments, prosocial relationships, methylation at the oxytocin receptor gene (OXTR), and substance abuse. The potential for OXTR methylation to act as the mechanism linking social environments to substance abuse has yet to be investigated. We hypothesized that, for young African American men, childhood adversity increases, and supportive, prosocial bonds with parents, peers, partners, and community mentors decrease OXTR methylation levels, which in turn predict increases in substance-related symptoms. METHODS: A sample of 358 rural African American men (age 19 at baseline) provided self-report data at three time points separated by 18 months and a genetic specimen at Time 2. RESULTS: Early adversity was associated with OXTR methylation indirectly via contemporary prosocial relationships. OXTR methylation was a proximal predictor of changes in substance-related symptoms. We found no evidence for a direct association of self-reported childhood trauma with OXTR methylation status. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that OXTR methylation is linked to substance use symptomatology, ostensibly resulting in increased expression of oxytocin (OT) in peripheral and central nervous systems. OXTR may act as a mechanism to explain how prosocial ties deter substance abuse and related problems. Despite conjectures in the literature that early adversity may become physiologically embedded via methylation in the OT system, direct effects were not evident. Rather, early adversity may affect OXTR methylation via influence on contemporary prosocial relationships.
Authors: J P Gouin; Q Q Zhou; L Booij; M Boivin; S M Côté; M Hébert; I Ouellet-Morin; M Szyf; R E Tremblay; G Turecki; F Vitaro Journal: Sci Rep Date: 2017-08-07 Impact factor: 4.379
Authors: Jolien Rijlaarsdam; Marinus H van IJzendoorn; Frank C Verhulst; Vincent W V Jaddoe; Janine F Felix; Henning Tiemeier; Marian J Bakermans-Kranenburg Journal: Autism Res Date: 2016-08-13 Impact factor: 5.216
Authors: Chantel L Martin; Lea Ghastine; Evans K Lodge; Radhika Dhingra; Cavin K Ward-Caviness Journal: Annu Rev Public Health Date: 2022-04-05 Impact factor: 21.870
Authors: Elissar Andari; Shota Nishitani; Gopinath Kaundinya; Gabriella A Caceres; Michael J Morrier; Opal Ousley; Alicia K Smith; Joseph F Cubells; Larry J Young Journal: Neuropsychopharmacology Date: 2020-01-13 Impact factor: 8.294
Authors: Stephanie H Parade; Lindsay Huffhines; Nicole R Nugent; Audrey R Tyrka; Teresa E Daniels; Laura R Stroud Journal: Transl Psychiatry Date: 2021-02-19 Impact factor: 6.222
Authors: Jillian M Rung; Quintin A Kidder; Marilyn Horta; H P Nazarloo; C Sue Carter; Meredith S Berry; Natalie C Ebner Journal: Brain Behav Date: 2022-02-11 Impact factor: 2.708