Oxytocin´s Effect on Empathy in Autism – Neural Activation As a Function of the Oxytocin Receptor Gene Variation.

Background: Individuals with autism spectrum disorder have deficits in the capacity to intuitively represent their own and others’ mental states which is associated with impairments in social interaction and communication. Although ASD is considered a neurobiological disorder, primary treatments nowadays consist of psychological and educational interventions to address the core deficits related to the disorder. Pioneering but strong evidence suggests that oxytocin (OXT) has the potential to enhance motivation and attention to social cues in patients with ASD, facilitating the processing of social emotions, social reward and higher cognitive functions such as empathy and Theory of Mind. Beyond a therapy effect, it has been demonstrated that genetic factors can influence an individuals response to OXT, either by directly acting on OXT genes or via the regulation of genes in pathways related to OXT.

Objectives: In view of the individual variability in OXT response, the consideration of individual factors such as genetic variations is warranted in studies investigating the efficacy of OXT administration in ASD treatment. Therefore, we aim to analyse the effect of genetic variation in the oxytocin-receptor-gene (OXTR) on the neural pathways involved in social affect in a group of persons with ASD.

Methods: We examined in a placebo-controlled, double blind, randomized fMRI study (including three experiments to examine social affect on distinct levels) with crossover-design the effect of oxytocin in dependence of a specific genotype. 26 young men (Age mean 23,0±4,4; IQ mean 107,9±18,2) who matched the DSM IV criteria for ASD and who had a confirmed ICD-10 diagnosis of high-functioning ASD took part. 15 participants had a validated variation in the OXTR and 10 participants were without the risk allele.

Results: On the behavioural level we can observe differential effect of OXT in dependence of the OXTR. Participants with the variation in the OXTR show a significant increase of social affect. Further differences on underlying brain networks will be analysed and presented

Conclusions: The consideration of genetic variation in the OXTR seems to have the potential to identify those participants with ASD who get the most out of OXT treatment.