Variation at the mu-opioid receptor gene ( OPRM1 ) influences attachment behavior in infant primates
Open accessAbstract
In a variety of species, development of attachment to a caregiver is crucial for infant survival and partly mediated by the endogenous opioids. Functional mu-opioid receptor gene polymorphisms are present in humans (OPRM1 A118G) and rhesus macaques (OPRM1 C77G). We hypothesized that rhesus infants carrying a gain-of-function OPRM1 77G allele would experience increased reward during maternal contact and would, therefore, display increased measures of attachment. We collected behavioral data from rhesus macaques (n = 97) during early infancy and at 6 months of age, across four cycles of maternal separation (4 days) and reunion (3 days). Animals were genotyped for the OPRM1 C77G polymorphism, and the effects of this allele on attachment-related behaviors were analyzed. Infants carrying the G allele exhibited higher levels of attachment behavior during early infancy. During prolonged periods of maternal separation, although infant macaques homozygous for the C allele exhibited decreases in their levels of distress vocalization with repeated separation, this response persisted in G allele carriers. The OPRM1 77G allele also affected social preference during reunion. C/G infants spent increasing amounts of time in social contact with their mothers as a function of repeated separation and were less likely to interact with other individuals in the social group, a pattern not observed among infants with the C/C genotype. These findings suggest a role for OPRM1 variation in the expression of attachment behavior in human subjects, especially as a function of separation from the caregiver.
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In rhesus macaques, carrying the G allele of the μ-opioid receptor gene OPRM1, compared with homozygous C alleles, is associated with stronger maternal attachment in infants and more effective prevention of infant separation in mothers.
“In rhesus macaques, carrying the G allele of the μ-opioid receptor gene OPRM1, compared with homozygous C alleles, is associated with stronger maternal attachment in infants (14) and more effective prevention of infant separation in mothers (15).”
From Oxytocin under opioid antagonism leads to supralinear enhancement of social attention (2017) · cites this paper as [14]
The same MOR gene polymorphisms linked to increased alcoholism risk in humans and Rhesus macaques are also related to maternal behavior in both species.
“Additionally, the same polymorphisms of the MOR gene that are associated with increased risk for alcoholism in humans and Rhesus macaques are also related to maternal behavior in both species (Barr et al 2007; Barr et al 2008; Higham et al 2011; Troisi et al 2011b).”
From The behavioral, anatomical and pharmacological parallels between social attachment, love and addiction (2012) · cites this paper as Barr et al 2008
Infant Rhesus macaques with the C77G MOR polymorphism show increased attachment to mothers, and Rhesus mothers with it show enhanced maternal care and higher OT release during maternal behavior.
“Infant Rhesus macaques possessing the C77G polymorphism of the MOR gene show increased attachment to their mothers, while Rhesus mothers possessing the same polymorphism show enhanced maternal care and higher OT release during maternal behaviors (Barr et al 2008; Higham et al 2011).”
From The behavioral, anatomical and pharmacological parallels between social attachment, love and addiction (2012) · cites this paper as Barr et al 2008
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- Authors
- Barr, C. S., Schwandt, M. L., Lindell, S. G., Higley, J. D., Maestripieri, D., Goldman, D., Suomi, S. J., & Heilig, M.
- Affiliations
- National Institutes of Health (US)
- Brigham Young University (US)
- Department of Comparative Human Development, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637; and
- ORCID
- Venue
- Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
- Publisher
- National Academy of Sciences
- Published
- 2008-04
- Volume
- 105
- Issue
- 13
- Pages
- 5277-5281
- ISSN
- 0027-8424 (ISSN-L)
- 1091-6490
- PMC
- PMC2278187
- OpenAlex
- W2080513954
- Cited by
- 191
- References
- 43
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 6 · 2021: 8 · 2020: 6 · 2019: 11 · 2018: 6 · 2017: 10 · 2016: 23 · 2015: 13 · 2014: 10 · 2013: 15 · 2012: 15
- FWCI
- 24.08
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- Locations
- Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (publishedVersion)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- National Institutes of Health
- National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Neuroendocrine regulation and behavior
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Attachment and Relationship Dynamics
- Keywords
- OPRM1, rhesus monkeys, infant attachment, maternal separation, distress vocalizations, social preferences, endogenous opioids, gene-environment interaction, early infancy
- MeSH terms
- Aging, Animals, Behavior, Animal, Female, Genotype, Humans, Macaca mulatta, Male, Mothers, Object Attachment, Polymorphism, Genetic, Receptors, Opioid, mu, Models, Animal
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