Current perspectives on the role of oxytocin receptor (OXTR) gene variants in panic disorder: associations with disease liability and separation anxiety
Archives of Medical Science, cilt.22, sa.1, ss.506-514, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 22 Sayı: 1
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.5114/aoms/200392
- Dergi Adı: Archives of Medical Science
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, CINAHL, EMBASE, Directory of Open Access Journals, Academic Search Ultimate (EBSCO), East & Central Europe Database (ProQuest), Health Research Premium Collection (ProQuest)
- Sayfa Sayıları: ss.506-514
- Anahtar Kelimeler: OXTR rs2254298, OXTR rs237902, OXTR rs53576, oxytocin receptor gene, panic disorder, separation anxiety
- Açık Arşiv Koleksiyonu: AVESİS Açık Erişim Koleksiyonu
- Ondokuz Mayıs Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
Introduction: Oxytocin receptor (OXTR) gene variations are associated with empathy, trust, emotional stability, stress reactivity, social bonding and attachment behaviors. We aimed to explore the impact of three OXTR gene variations (rs53576, rs237902, rs2254298) in susceptibility to panic disorder (PD). We also investigated the possible effects of these variants on separation anxiety scale scores in patients, with a comprehensive approach covering environmental adversity effects. Material and methods: The hypothesis was studied in PD patients and healthy controls with the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method. By applying the Separation Anxiety Symptom Inventory (SASI) and the Adult Separation Anxiety Questionnaire (ASA), the relationships between the OXTR gene variants and these scales were also evaluated comprehensively. Results: A statistically significant association was found for OXTR rs237902; presence of the A allele was associated with a 1.585-fold increase in probability of PD. Moreover, all of the analyzed OXTR variants were found to be associated with childhood and adult separation anxiety in the patients in the combined analyses of various demographic and clinical data; striking associations of AA genotype with SASI and ASA scores were observed in these models. Conclusions: The study supports the involvement of oxytocinergic gene variants in PD. It also represents one of the most comprehensive models examining gene-environment (G × E) interactions in this context.