Publication

Oxytocin, vasopressin, and Williams syndrome: Epigenetic effects on abnormal social behavior

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Last modified
  • 02/25/2025
Type of Material
Authors
    Brian W. Haas, University of GeorgiaAlicia Smith, Emory University
Language
  • English
Date
  • 2015-01-01
Publisher
  • Frontiers Media
Publication Version
Copyright Statement
  • © 2015 Haas and Smith.
License
Final Published Version (URL)
Title of Journal or Parent Work
ISSN
  • 1664-8021
Volume
  • 5
Issue
  • FEB
Start Page
  • 28
End Page
  • 28
Abstract
  • Williams syndrome (WS) is a condition caused by a deletion of ~26-28 genes on chromosome 7q11.23 often characterized by abnormal social behavior and disrupted oxytocin (OT) and vasopressin (AVP) functioning. The observation that individuals with WS exhibit OT and AVP dysregulation is compelling. There is currently a lack of evidence that any of the genes typically deleted in WS have any direct effect on either OT or AVP. In this perspective article, we present a novel epigenetic model describing how DNA methylation may impact the expression of key genes within the OT and AVP systems, which may ultimately influence the social behavior observed in WS. We draw support from data pooled from a prior empirical research study (Henrichsen et al., 2011), demonstrating that OXTR is overexpressed in WS. These preliminary findings may create new opportunities to target the OT and AVP systems with the specific goal of improving outcomes in WS and other psychiatric conditions.
Author Notes
  • Correspondence: Brian W. Haas, Department of Psychology, University of Georgia, 125 Baldwin Street, Athens, GA 30602, USA e-mail: bhaas@uga.edu
Keywords
Research Categories
  • Psychology, General
  • Health Sciences, Mental Health
  • Biology, Genetics

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