A new study by researchers at the National University of Singapore reports that two specific genes play a role in young adults’ social skills and the number of close friends they have. The study […] focused on the CD38 gene and the CD157 gene sequence – both of which regulate oxytocin, the “human social hormone.” Oxytocin is involved with behaviors such as pair-bonding, mating and child-rearing.
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The team found that a higher expression of the CD38 gene and the presence of differences in the CD157 gene sequence correlated with a participant having more close friends and better social skills.
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“Meanwhile, participants with lower CD38 expression reported less social skills such as difficulty in ‘reading between the lines’ or engaging less in social chitchat, and tend to have fewer friends,” said Anne Chong, PhD graduate who conducted the research with [study leader Richard Ebstein].
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Ebstein and Chong believe these results could be useful in developing future intervention therapies or targeted treatments that would help achieve desired results for individuals with special needs. For example, they note that treatments based on new drugs that mimic of enhance the functions of the CD38 and CD157 genes could be one potential approach.
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