# Characterizing the (epi)genetics of oxytocin response in clinical and animal models

> **NIH NIH R01** · DUKE UNIVERSITY · 2020 · $615,523

## Abstract

The autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are a heterogeneous group of developmental disorders with specific
core features, including impaired social interaction and abnormal repetitive behavior. Several ongoing studies,
including our own, are assessing the use of the drug oxytocin to ameliorate social deficits in individuals with
ASDs and other psychosocial disorders. We hypothesize that behavioral response to oxytocin treatment is
mediated by genetic and epigenetic factors and that these factors, particularly epigenetic mediators of gene
expression, may be pivotal to baseline response and/or may change during oxytocin exposure. This proposal
will explore the role of the epigenome and genetic predisposition to oxytocin treatment response in longitudinal
samples that have already been collected as part of an ongoing clinical trial in high and low functioning children
with ASDs; we will investigate the transcriptome and epigenome (5mC and 5hmC) in regions of the brain and
periphery of a mouse model of ASD known to have positive response to oxytocin treatment; we will also
examine novel regulatory mechanisms of oxytocin's receptor OXTR via 5-hydroxy methyl cytosine. The data
generated by these aims will not only serve to develop (epi)genetic predictors of oxytocin response, but they
will inform other trials using oxytocin to treat psychosocial disorders.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9894649
- **Project number:** 5R01HD088007-04
- **Recipient organization:** DUKE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** SIMON G GREGORY
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $615,523
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2017-02-14 → 2022-01-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9894649

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9894649, Characterizing the (epi)genetics of oxytocin response in clinical and animal models (5R01HD088007-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9894649. Licensed CC0.

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