Oxytocin receptor genetic variation relates to empathy and stress reactivity in humans

Oxytocin receptor genetic variation relates to empathy and stress reactivity in humans: "individuals with one or two copies of the A allele (AG/AA) exhibited lower behavioral and dispositional empathy, as measured by the “Reading the Mind in the Eyes” Test and an other-oriented empathy scale. Furthermore, AA/AG individuals displayed higher physiological and dispositional stress reactivity than GG individuals, as determined by heart rate response during a startle anticipation task and an affective reactivity scale."