OXTR DNA Methylation and Temperament in Children with Neurodevelopmental Disabilities

A study by Eleonora Mascheroni, last updated in April 2026, examines epigenetic and behavioral data from 48 children aged 3–36 months. The dataset includes DNA methylation levels at 13 CpG sites of the OXTR gene and parent-reported temperament scores for Surgency/Extraversion, Negative Emotionality, and Effortful Control. It compares 24 children with neurodevelopmental disabilities to 24 typically developing children.

Use Cases

• Analyze associations between epigenetic markers (OXTR DNA methylation) and behavioral traits (temperament) based on the described study variables.
• Compare epigenetic and temperament profiles between neurodevelopmental disability and typically developing groups based on the sample composition.
• Replicate principal component analysis on correlated CpG sites based on the described methodology of deriving two components from 13 sites.
• Investigate the role of covariates like age and developmental quotient in epigenetic-behavioral relationships based on the study's control variables.

Strengths

• Data is derived from a controlled study with a defined sample of 48 children.
• Includes multiple data types: epigenetic measurements (13 CpG sites) and three standardized temperament dimensions.
• Analysis accounts for key covariates (age and developmental quotient).
• Published under a permissive CC-BY-4.0 license.

Limitations

• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• The dataset is very small at 59.8 KB, indicating limited scope and sample size.

Provenance

Source

figshare, author Eleonora Mascheroni.

Collection Method

DNA methylation assessed from buccal epithelial cells via salivary swabs; temperament assessed via parent-report measures.

Time Range

Study period not specified; data reflects children aged 3–36 months.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-04-15 05:45:42; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Geographic coverage of the sample is not specified.