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Published on: September 6, 2024
Genes controlling affiliative behavior as candidate genes for autism
Carolyn M Yrigollen1, Summer S Han, Anna Kochetkova
1Department of Statistics, Department of Epidemiology and PublicHealth, Yale University, NewHaven, CT 06519-1124, USA.
Biological Psychiatry
|January 22, 2008
Summary
Genetic variants in genes controlling affiliative behaviors are linked to autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This study found significant associations, particularly with PRL, PRLR, and OXTR genes, in ASD patients.
Area of Science:
- Neurogenetics
- Developmental Neuroscience
- Behavioral Genetics
Background:
- Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are complex neurodevelopmental conditions with significant genetic contributions.
- A core characteristic of ASD is the impairment of affiliative behaviors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the hypothesis of allelic associations between genetic variants and ASD.
- To examine genes involved in maternal and affiliative behaviors: OXT, OXTR, PRL, PRLR, DbetaH, and FOSB.
Main Methods:
- Analyzed 177 probands with ASD from 151 families (n=527).
- Constructed multivariate and univariate phenotypes from ASD assessments.
- Performed genetic linkage and association analyses using PBAT and FBAT software.
Main Results:
- Confirmed the significance of genes regulating affiliative behaviors in ASD manifestation (p values .000005 to .05).
- Identified strongest allelic associations with Prolactin (PRL), Prolactin Receptor (PRLR), and Oxytocin Receptor (OXTR) genes.
Conclusions:
- Preliminary findings support the association between allelic variants of genes crucial for affiliative behaviors and ASD.
- Further independent replication and investigation of additional affiliative behavior genes are warranted.
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