The influence of rs53576 polymorphism in the oxytocin receptor (OXTR) gene on empathy in healthy adults by subtype and ethnicity: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract Empathy is essential for navigating complex social environments. Prior work has shown associations between rs53576, a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) located in the oxytocin receptor gene (OXTR), and generalized empathy. We undertook a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the effects of rs53576 on subdomains of empathy, specifically cognitive empathy (CE) and affective empathy (AE), in healthy adults. Twenty cohorts of 8933 participants aged 18–98 were identified, including data from the Sydney Memory and Ageing Study, a cohort of older community adults. Meta-analyses found G homozygotes had greater generalized empathic abilities only in young to middle-aged adults. While meta-analyses of empathy subdomains yielded no significant overall effects, there were differential effects based on ethnicity. G homozygotes were associated with greater CE abilities in Asian cohorts (standardized mean difference; SMD: 0.09 [2.8·10−3–0.18]), and greater AE performance in European cohorts [SMD: 0.12 (0.04–0.21)]. The current literature highlights a need for further work that distinguishes between genetic and ethnocultural effects and explores effects of advanced age on this relationship.

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The association between 2D:4D ratio and cognitive empathy is contingent on a common polymorphism in the oxytocin receptor gene (OXTR rs53576)

Psychoneuroendocrinology ◽

10.1016/j.psyneuen.2015.04.007 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 58 ◽

pp. 23-32 ◽

Cited By ~ 29

Author(s):

Omri Weisman ◽

Kevin A. Pelphrey ◽

James F. Leckman ◽

Ruth Feldman ◽

Yunfeng Lu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Receptor Gene ◽

Cognitive Empathy ◽

Oxytocin Receptor ◽

Oxytocin Receptor Gene ◽

Common Polymorphism ◽

Oxtr Rs53576

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The Association of Oxytocin Receptor Gene (OXTR) Polymorphisms Antisocial Behavior: A Meta-analysis

Behavior Genetics ◽

10.1007/s10519-020-09996-6 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 50 (3) ◽

pp. 161-173 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Holly E. Poore ◽

Irwin D. Waldman

Keyword(s):

Antisocial Behavior ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Receptor Gene ◽

Oxytocin Receptor ◽

Oxytocin Receptor Gene

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P.1.a.027 Second-to-fourth digit ratio is associated with cognitive empathy in men depending on common polymorphism in the oxytocin receptor gene

European Neuropsychopharmacology ◽

10.1016/s0924-977x(14)70258-5 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 24 ◽

pp. S169-S170

Author(s):

O. Weisman ◽

K.A. Pelphrey ◽

J.F. Leckman ◽

R. Feldman ◽

Y. Lu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Receptor Gene ◽

Cognitive Empathy ◽

Oxytocin Receptor ◽

Digit Ratio ◽

Oxytocin Receptor Gene ◽

Common Polymorphism ◽

Fourth Digit

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Concordance and incongruence in preclinical anxiety models: systematic review and meta-analyses

10.1101/020701 ◽

2015 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Farhan Mohammad ◽

Joses Ho ◽

Jia Hern Woo ◽

Chun Lei Lim ◽

Dennis Jun Jie Poon ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Publication Bias ◽

Social Isolation ◽

Gene Knockout ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Receptor Gene ◽

List Type ◽

Clinical Use ◽

Defense Behavior ◽

Meta Analyses

AbstractRodent defense behavior assays have been widely used as preclinical models of anxiety to study possibly therapeutic anxiety-reducing interventions. However, some proposed anxiety-modulating factors—genes, drugs and stressors—have had discordant effects across different studies. To reconcile the effect sizes of purported anxiety factors, we conducted systematic review and meta-analyses of the literature on ten anxiety-linked interventions, as examined in the elevated plus maze, open field and light-dark box assays. Diazepam, 5-HT1A receptor gene knockout and overexpression, SERT gene knockout and overexpression, pain, restraint, social isolation, corticotropin-releasing hormone and Crhr1 were selected for review. Eight interventions had statistically significant effects on rodent anxiety, while Htr1a overexpression and Crh knockout did not. Evidence for publication bias was found in the diazepam, Htt knockout, and social isolation literatures. The Htr1a and Crhr1 results indicate a disconnect between preclinical science and clinical research. Furthermore, the meta-analytic data confirmed that genetic SERT anxiety effects were paradoxical in the context of the clinical use of SERT inhibitors to reduce anxiety.HighlightsMeta-analysis shows eight rodent anxiety factors have at least moderate effects.Publication bias affects four of the anxiety interventions.Preclinical rodent anxiety results appear disconnected from clinical efforts.Serotonin transporter gene lesion effects are paradoxical with reuptake inhibitors clinical use.

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Environmental and Occupational Short-Term Exposure to AirBorne Particles and FEV1 and FVC in Healthy Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph182010571 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (20) ◽

pp. 10571

Author(s):

Alan da Silveira da Silveira Fleck ◽

Margaux L. Sadoine ◽

Stéphane Buteau ◽

Eva Suarthana ◽

Maximilien Debia ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Fine Particles ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Healthy Adults ◽

Airborne Particles ◽

Qualitative Synthesis ◽

Short Term ◽

Respiratory Effects ◽

Short Term Exposure ◽

Meta Analyses

Background: No study has compared the respiratory effects of environmental and occupational particulate exposure in healthy adults. Methods: We estimated, by a systematic review and meta-analysis, the associations between short term exposures to fine particles (PM2.5 and PM4) and certain parameters of lung function (FEV1 and FVC) in healthy adults. Results: In total, 33 and 14 studies were included in the qualitative synthesis and meta-analyses, respectively. In environmental studies, a 10 µg/m3 increase in PM2.5 was associated with an FEV1 reduction of 7.63 mL (95% CI: −10.62 to −4.63 mL). In occupational studies, an increase of 10 µg/m3 in PM4 was associated with an FEV1 reduction of 0.87 mL (95% CI: −1.36 to −0.37 mL). Similar results were observed with FVC. Conclusions: Both occupational and environmental short-term exposures to fine particles are associated with reductions in FEV1 and FVC in healthy adults.

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The Effects of Fruit-Derived Polyphenols on Cognition and Lung Function in Healthy Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu13124273 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (12) ◽

pp. 4273

Author(s):

Lillian Morton ◽

Andrea J. Braakhuis

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Lung Function ◽

Healthy Subjects ◽

Intervention Studies ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Healthy Adults ◽

Dietary Intakes ◽

Lung Capacity ◽

Intervention Trials ◽

Meta Analyses

Polyphenols are plant derived nutrients that influence oxidative stress and inflammation and therefore may have positive benefits on cognition and lung function. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effects of fruit derived polyphenol intakes on cognition and lung capacity in healthy adults. In August 2020 and October 2021, Medline and Google Scholar were used to search for relevant studies examining the effects of fruit derived polyphenol intakes on cognition and/or lung function in healthy adults (<70 years old). Fourteen studies related to cognition (409 healthy subjects) and seven lung/respiratory studies (20 788 subjects) were used for the systematic review using the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The meta-analysis (using six cognition and three lung function studies) indicated a protective effect on lung function from dietary intakes of fruit-derived polyphenols. Neither a benefit nor decrement from fruit-derived polyphenol intakes were detected for cognition. Human intervention trials examining the effects of polyphenol supplementation on lung function in healthy adults are scarce and intervention studies are warranted. More conclusive results are needed to provide recommendations for polyphenol supplementation to support aspects of cognition.

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