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Birth weight interacts with a functional variant of the oxytocin receptor gene (OXTR) to predict executive

Mark Wade1, Heather Prime1, Thomas J Hoffmann2

  • 1University of Toronto.

Development and Psychopathology
|May 18, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Genetic variations in the oxytocin receptor gene (OXTR) and birth weight interact to influence children's executive functioning (EF). Higher EF was linked to the OXTR rs2254298 major allele and greater birth weight.

Area of Science:

  • Neurogenetics
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Child Psychiatry

Background:

  • Genetic variations in the oxytocin receptor gene (OXTR) are linked to psychiatric conditions affecting executive functioning (EF).
  • The OXTR variant rs2254298 has been associated with brain regions crucial for EF.
  • Birth weight variations correlate with cortical development and function underlying EF.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the main and interactive effects of the OXTR rs2254298 variant and birth weight on executive functioning (EF) in children.
  • This study is the first to explore this combined influence on childhood EF.

Main Methods:

  • A family-based design was used with 310 children from a longitudinal study.
  • Executive functioning (working memory, cognitive flexibility, inhibitory control) was assessed at age 4.5.
  • Analyses controlled for population structure and nongenomic confounding factors.

Main Results:

  • A significant association was found between the OXTR rs2254298 variant and EF, with the major allele (G) linked to higher EF.
  • A significant interaction between rs2254298 and birth weight emerged: higher birth weight combined with the major allele predicted enhanced EF.
  • These findings highlight a genetic contribution to EF modulated by prenatal development.

Conclusions:

  • The oxytocin receptor gene (OXTR) is implicated in specific neurocognitive abilities during childhood.
  • Intrauterine conditions, reflected by birth weight, may modulate the genetic effects of OXTR on executive functioning.
  • This research offers insights into the interplay of genetics and early environment in shaping cognitive development.

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