DNA Methylation of the Oxytocin Receptor Across Neurodevelopmental Disorders.
Authors: Siu MT, Goodman SJ, Yellan I, Butcher DT, Jangjoo M, Grafodatskaya D, Rajendram R, Lou Y, Zhang R, Zhao C, Nicolson R, Georgiades S, Szatmari P, Scherer SW, Roberts W, Anagnostou E, Weksberg R
Journal: Journal of autism and developmental disorders
ADHD
ASD
DNA methylation
OCD
OXTR
Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity
Autism Spectrum Disorder
DNA Methylation
Female
Humans
Male
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Oxytocin
Receptors, Oxytocin
Abstract
Many neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) share common learning and behavioural impairments, as well as features such as dysregulation of the oxytocin hormone. Here, we examined DNA methylation (DNAm) in the 1st intron of the oxytocin receptor gene, OXTR, in patients with autism spectrum (ASD), attention deficit and hyperactivity (ADHD) and obsessive compulsive (OCD) disorders. DNAm of OXTR was assessed for cohorts of ASD (blood), ADHD (saliva), OCD (saliva), which uncovered sex-specific DNAm differences compared to neurotypical, tissue-matched controls. Individuals with ASD or ADHD exhibiting extreme DNAm values had lower IQ and more social problems, respectively, than those with DNAm within normative ranges. This suggests that OXTR DNAm patterns are altered across NDDs and may be correlated with common clinical outcomes.