Open AccessOxytocin Receptor <b><i>(OXTR)</i></b> Methylation and Cognition in Psychotic Disorders
Author(s) -
Tyler B. Grove,
Kyle J. Burghardt,
A. Zarina Kraal,
Ryan J. Dougherty,
Stephan F. Taylor,
Vicki L. Ellingrod
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
complex psychiatry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2673-3005
pISSN - 2673-298X
DOI - 10.1159/000448173
Subject(s) - oxytocin receptor , oxytocin , psychology , cognition , methylation , medicine , psychiatry , neuroscience , genetics , biology , gene
Previous reports have identified an association between cognitive impairment and genetic variation in psychotic disorders. In particular, this association may be related to abnormal regulation of genes responsible for broad cognitive functions such as the oxytocin receptor (OXTR) . Within psychotic disorders, it is unknown if OXTR methylation, which can have important implications for gene regulation, is related to cognitive function. The current study examined peripheral blood OXTR methylation and general cognition in people with schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, and psychotic disorder not otherwise specified (N = 101). Using hierarchical multiple regression analysis, methylation at the Chr3:8767638 site was significantly associated with composite cognitive performance independent of demographic and medication factors while controlling for multiple testing in this combined diagnostic sample (adjusted p = 0.023).