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Depression tendency and optimism depend on oxytocin receptor variant
Medical expert of the article
Last reviewed: 30.06.2025
A person's stress resistance, optimism, self-esteem and willpower depend on the presence of a certain variant of the oxytocin receptor gene, claim scientists from the University of California, Los Angeles (USA).
Researchers have announced that they have discovered the "optimism gene." As it turns out, it is the oxytocin receptor gene. It is already known that oxytocin is responsible for the development of motherhood, there is also data on its role in the development of human social behavior and empathy, it is involved in the acquisition and improvement of social skills.
The action of oxytocin depends on the presence of the corresponding oxytocin receptors on the cell surface. Previously, scientists reported the presence of two variations of the gene for these receptors: the A version, when adenine is present in a certain section of DNA, and the G version, when guanine is present in a certain section of DNA. Researchers believe that the presence of one or another gene variant can form a corresponding psychological profile of a person: resistance to stress, tendency to depression, etc.
This study involved 326 volunteers who had previously undergone psychological tests. Psychologists assessed the following parameters: level of self-esteem, optimism, willpower and tendency to depressive states. After assessing the results of psychological tests, molecular geneticists began. A thorough genetic analysis of DNA samples of each participant was conducted.
Those participants who had adenine in the octiocin receptor gene were more prone to depression. And those who had guanine were more resistant to stress, had high self-esteem, greater willpower and an optimistic attitude.
Thus, the tendency towards depressive states may be associated with the way in which cells of the nervous system respond to oxytocin and the type of receptor for it.
The researchers emphasize in their report that different variants of the oxytocin receptor do not affect a person's ability to cope with stress. Therefore, parents' knowledge of whether their child has a "depressive variant" of the oxytocin gene allows them to cultivate such qualities as the ability to avoid stressful situations, cope with them, etc.