Krasnoyarsk scientists have discovered a connection between mutations in the oxytocin receptor gene and adolescent behavioral characteristics. Increased oxytocin concentrations are associated with developed social contacts in adolescents. A certain mutation in the gene can result in social behavior disorders, tendency towards depression, problems with prosocial behavior, and hyperactivity. The results of the study were published in the Siberian Scientific Medical Journal.

Adolescence is one of the most difficult periods in a person’s life. A variety of factors influence a teenager’s behavior, including the social environment, internal attitudes, and hormonal levels. One of the key hormones that influence behavior is oxytocin, an important prosocial neuropeptide that helps establish social connections since early age. The effect of oxytocin on the psychoemotional state depends on age, gender, ethnocultural factors, social environment, stressful situations, and genetic characteristics.

Scientists from the Krasnoyarsk Science Center of SB RAS have discovered a connection between changes in the oxytocin receptor gene and behavioral characteristics in adolescents. The study involved psychological and genetic testing of Russian adolescents aged 11–18.

Oxytocin is released in response to psychological, physiological, and social stimuli. Despite the many effects that oxytocin has on our bodies, only one type of receptor for this hormone has been discovered to date. The gene encoding this receptor (OXTR) is polymorphic and consists of alleles responsible for various manifestations of the traits of this gene. For example, the allele "G" in a certain position can be replaced by a single nucleotide "A", and this mutation affects the gene functioning. It is believed that this mutation is associated with various psychological and behavioral characteristics of a person, in particular, with an increased level of social sensitivity. The researchers were interested in the connection between allelic variants of the OXTR gene and individual differences in the social behavior of adolescents.

The results of the study revealed a relationship between increased oxytocin concentration and the presence of developed social contacts in adolescents. A connection was also found between the "A" allele and social behavior disorders and depression. Carriers of the AA genotype have problems with prosocial behavior, hyperactivity, and communication with peers compared to carriers of genotypes with at least one G allele. At the same time, the analysis shows that girls have the AA genotype less often than boys but they have the allelic variant G more often.

"The relevance of this study is justified by a high frequency of various communication problems in adolescents. This affects the formation of personality, isolating it from the interests of society. In adolescence, it is through communication that there occurs the assimilation of universal human experience, and self-awareness, spiritual needs, moral and aesthetic feelings are formed. In this regard, the diagnosis of social relationship disorders among adolescents is extremely important. Such disorders have, among other things, a genetic predisposition. In our study of adolescents, we have found that the presence of the G allele in the oxytocin receptor gene is associated with an increased ability to cope with depressed psychological states. The analysis reveals that carriers of this allele have higher self-esteem, willpower, and an optimistic outlook on life. While those who have the rare A allele are predisposed to developing depression, more often being in a melancholy state. This allelic variant is also associated with social behavior disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, aggressiveness and poor stress tolerance in adolescents, and a tendency towards suicidal behavior. It should be noted that problems in communicating with peers in adolescents with pronounced social empathy and altruistic personal characteristics can be successfully overcome. In many ways, both the general focus of the educational process towards approving prosocial behavior and socially significant individuals whom teenagers can perceive as role models can help here,” said Marina Smolnikova, Candidate of Biological sciences, head of the molecular genetic research group, and leading researcher at the Research Institute of Medical Problems of the North.