A meta-analysis by Kohlhoff et al (2022) determined that single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the oxytocin receptor gene (OXTR) were likely associated with social and emotional functioning in children by conferring increased vulnerability to childhood/environmental adversity. Huang et al (2021) utilized chemogenetics to preferentially activate septal OXTR neurons in mice. Activation of these OXTR neurons, as well as their projections to the horizontal diagonal band of Broca (HDB), induced anxiety-like behaviors. These behaviors were evaluated using common mice behavioral assays such as the open field test and the elevated plus maze test, shown below.