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Jessica J. Connelly

Jessica J. Connelly

Professor of Psychology, Psychology

Bio & Overview

The lab is interested in understanding the epigenetic (and genetic) regulation of the oxytocin receptor in the context of human and animal social behavior.

Academic Information

Department
Psychology
Academic Title
Assistant Professor

Primary Education

  • BS, Chemistry, Richard Stockton College of New Jersey, 1997
  • PhD, Genetics, State University of New York at Stony Brook, 2004
  • Postdoc, Complex Human Genetics and Disease, Duke University, 2008

Other Appointments

  • Assistant Professor, Neuroscience
  • Assistant Professor, BMBG
  • Assistant Professor, Medicine- Cardiovascular Medicine

Other Affiliations

  • Cardiovascular Research Center
  • MSTP
  • Assistant Professor, BIMS

Research Interests

Epigenetic mechanisms involved in complex human disease

Research Disciplines

  • Cardiovascular Biology
  • Epigenetics
  • Genetics
  • Molecular Biology
  • Neuroscience
  • Translational Science

Research Opportunities

  • Cardiovascular Disease
  • Epigenetics
  • Genetics
  • Molecular Biology
  • Neuroscience

Selected Publications

2023

Marzoratti, A., Liu, M. E., Krol, K. M., Sjobeck, G. R., Lipscomb, D. J., Hofkens, T. L., . . . Evans, T. M. (2023). Epigenetic modification of the oxytocin receptor gene is associated with child-parent neural synchrony during competition. DEVELOPMENTAL COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE, 63. doi:10.1016/j.dcn.2023.101302

Danoff, J. S., Ramos, E. N., Hinton, T. D., Perkeybile, A. M., Graves, A. J., Quinn, G. C., . . . Connelly, J. J. (2023). Father's care uniquely influences male neurodevelopment. PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, 120(31). doi:10.1073/pnas.2308798120

Skyberg, A. M., Newman, B. T., Graves, A. J., Goldstein, A. M., Brindley, S. R., Kim, M., . . . Morris, J. P. (2023). An epigenetic mechanism for differential maturation of amygdala-prefrontal connectivity in childhood socio-emotional development. TRANSLATIONAL PSYCHIATRY, 13(1). doi:10.1038/s41398-023-02380-y

Danoff, J. S., Whelan, E. A., & Connelly, J. J. (2023). Is oxytocin receptor signaling really dispensable for social attachment?. COMPREHENSIVE PSYCHONEUROENDOCRINOLOGY, 14. doi:10.1016/j.cpnec.2023.100178

Erickson, E. N., Myatt, L., Danoff, J. S., Krol, K. M., & Connelly, J. J. (2023). Oxytocin receptor DNA methylation is associated with exogenous oxytocin needs during parturition and postpartum hemorrhage. COMMUNICATIONS MEDICINE, 3(1). doi:10.1038/s43856-023-00244-6

Danoff, J. S., Page, E. A., Perkeybile, A. M., Kenkel, W. M., Yee, J. R., Ferris, C. F., . . . Connelly, J. J. (2023). Transcriptional diversity of the oxytocin receptor in prairie voles: mechanistic implications for behavioral neuroscience and maternal physiology. FRONTIERS IN GENETICS, 14. doi:10.3389/fgene.2023.1225197

2022

Erickson, E. N., Krol, K. M., Perkeybile, A. M., Connelly, J. J., & Myatt, L. (2022). Oxytocin receptor single nucleotide polymorphism predicts atony-related postpartum hemorrhage. BMC PREGNANCY AND CHILDBIRTH, 22(1). doi:10.1186/s12884-022-05205-w

Allen, J. P., Danoff, J. S., Costello, M. A., Loeb, E. L., Davis, A. A., Hunt, G. L., . . . Connelly, J. J. (2023). Adolescent peer struggles predict accelerated epigenetic aging in midlife. DEVELOPMENT AND PSYCHOPATHOLOGY, 35(2), 912-925. doi:10.1017/S0954579422000153

Allen, J. P., Danoff, J. S., Costello, M. A., Hunt, G. L., Hellwig, A. F., Krol, K. M., . . . Connelly, J. J. (2022). Lifetime marijuana use and epigenetic age acceleration: A 17-year prospective examination. DRUG AND ALCOHOL DEPENDENCE, 233. doi:10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2022.109363

Skyberg, A. M., Beeler-Duden, S., Goldstein, A. M., Gancayco, C. A., Lillard, A. S., Connelly, J. J., & Morris, J. P. (2022). Neuroepigenetic impact on mentalizing in childhood. DEVELOPMENTAL COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE, 54. doi:10.1016/j.dcn.2022.101080

2021

Danoff, J. S., Connelly, J. J., Morris, J. P., & Perkeybile, A. M. (2021). An epigenetic rheostat of experience: DNA methylation of OXTR as a mechanism of early life allostasis. COMPREHENSIVE PSYCHONEUROENDOCRINOLOGY, 8. doi:10.1016/j.cpnec.2021.100098

Danoff, J. S., Wroblewski, K. L., Graves, A. J., Quinn, G. C., Perkeybile, A. M., Kenkel, W. M., . . . Connelly, J. J. (2021). Genetic, epigenetic, and environmental factors controlling oxytocin receptor gene expression. CLINICAL EPIGENETICS, 13(1). doi:10.1186/s13148-021-01017-5

2020

Laker, R. C., Altintas, A., Lillard, T. S., Zhang, M., Connelly, J. J., Sabik, O. L., . . . Yan, Z. (2021). Exercise during pregnancy mitigates negative effects of parental obesity on metabolic function in adult mouse offspring. JOURNAL OF APPLIED PHYSIOLOGY, 130(3), 605-616. doi:10.1152/japplphysiol.00641.2020

Carter, C. S., Kenkel, W. M., MacLean, E. L., Wilson, S. R., Perkeybile, A. M., Yee, J. R., . . . Kingsbury, M. A. (2020). Is Oxytocin "Nature's Medicine"?. PHARMACOLOGICAL REVIEWS, 72(4), 829-861. doi:10.1124/pr.120.019398

Gonzalez, M. Z., Wroblewski, K. L., Allen, J. P., Coan, J. A., & Connelly, J. J. (2021). OXTRDNA methylation moderates the developmental calibration of neural reward sensitivity. DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOBIOLOGY, 63(1), 114-124. doi:10.1002/dev.22026

Puglia, M. H., Krol, K. M., Missana, M., Williams, C. L., Lillard, T. S., Morris, J. P., . . . Grossmann, T. (2020). Epigenetic tuning of brain signal entropy in emergent human social behavior. BMC MEDICINE, 18(1). doi:10.1186/s12916-020-01683-x

2019

Krol, K. M., Moulder, R. G., Lillard, T. S., Grossmann, T., & Connelly, J. J. (2019). Epigenetic dynamics in infancy and the impact of maternal engagement. SCIENCE ADVANCES, 5(10). doi:10.1126/sciadv.aay0680

Kenkel, W. M., Perkeybile, A. -M., Yee, J. R., Pournajafi-Nazarloo, H., Lillard, T. S., Ferguson, E. F., . . . Connelly, J. J. (2019). Behavioral and epigenetic consequences of oxytocin treatment at birth. SCIENCE ADVANCES, 5(5). doi:10.1126/sciadv.aav2244

Krol, K. M., Puglia, M. H., Morris, J. P., Connelly, J. J., & Grossmann, T. (2019). Epigenetic modification of the oxytocin receptor gene is associated with emotion processing in the infant brain. DEVELOPMENTAL COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE, 37. doi:10.1016/j.dcn.2019.100648

2018

Lancaster, K., Goldbeck, L., Puglia, M. H., Morris, J. P., & Connelly, J. J. (2018). DNA methylation of OXTR is associated with parasympathetic nervous system activity and amygdala morphology. SOCIAL COGNITIVE AND AFFECTIVE NEUROSCIENCE, 13(11), 1155-1162. doi:10.1093/scan/nsy086

Perkeybile, A. M., Carter, C. S., Wroblewski, K. L., Puglia, M. H., Kenkel, W. M., Lillard, T. S., . . . Connelly, J. J. (2019). Early nurture epigenetically tunes the oxytocin receptor. PSYCHONEUROENDOCRINOLOGY, 99, 128-136. doi:10.1016/j.psyneuen.2018.08.037

Puglia, M. H., Connelly, J. J., & Morris, J. P. (2018). Epigenetic regulation of the oxytocin receptor is associated with neural response during selective social attention. TRANSLATIONAL PSYCHIATRY, 8. doi:10.1038/s41398-018-0159-x

Ebner, N. C., Lin, T., Muradoglu, M., Weir, D. H., Plasencia, G. M., Lillard, T. S., . . . Connelly, J. J. (2019). Associations between oxytocin receptor gene (OXTR) methylation, plasma oxytocin, and attachment across adulthood. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PSYCHOPHYSIOLOGY, 136, 22-32. doi:10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2018.01.008

2017

Gonzalez, M. Z., Puglia, M. H., Morris, J. P., & Connelly, J. J. (2019). Oxytocin receptor genotype and low economic privilege reverses ventral striatum-social anxiety association. SOCIAL NEUROSCIENCE, 14(1), 67-79. doi:10.1080/17470919.2017.1403954

Lancaster, K., Goldbeck, L., Pournajafi-Nazarloo, H., Connelly, J. J., Carter, C. S., & Morris, J. P. (2018). The Role of Endogenous Oxytocin in Anxiolysis: Structural and Functional Correlates. BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY-COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE AND NEUROIMAGING, 3(7), 618-625. doi:10.1016/j.bpsc.2017.10.003

Lancaster, K., Morris, J. P., & Connelly, J. J. (2018). Neuroimaging Epigenetics: Challenges and Recommendations for Best Practices. NEUROSCIENCE, 370, 88-100. doi:10.1016/j.neuroscience.2017.08.004

Durgin, B. G., Cherepanova, O. A., Gomez, D., Karaoli, T., Alencar, G. F., Butcher, J. T., . . . Connelly, J. J. (2017). Smooth muscle cell-specific deletion of Col15a1 unexpectedly leads to impaired development of advanced atherosclerotic lesions. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-HEART AND CIRCULATORY PHYSIOLOGY, 312(5), H943-H958. doi:10.1152/ajpheart.00029.2017

2016

Cherepanova, O. A., Gomez, D., Shankman, L. S., Swiatlowska, P., Williams, J., Sarmento, O. F., . . . Owens, G. K. (2016). Activation of the pluripotency factor OCT4 in smooth muscle cells is atheroprotective. NATURE MEDICINE, 22(6), 657-+. doi:10.1038/nm.4109

2015

Rubin, L. H., Connelly, J. J., Reilly, J. L., Carter, C. S., Drogos, L. L., Pournajafi-Nazarloo, H., . . . Sweeney, J. A. (2016). Sex and diagnosis specific associations between DNA methylation of the oxytocin receptor gene with emotion processing and temporal-limbic and prefrontal brain volumes in psychotic disorders.. Biological psychiatry. Cognitive neuroscience and neuroimaging, 1(2), 141-151. doi:10.1016/j.bpsc.2015.10.003

Bell, A. F., Carter, C. S., Davis, J. M., Golding, J., Adejumo, O., Pyra, M., . . . Rubin, L. H. (2016). Childbirth and symptoms of postpartum depression and anxiety: a prospective birth cohort study. ARCHIVES OF WOMENS MENTAL HEALTH, 19(2), 219-227. doi:10.1007/s00737-015-0555-7

Puglia, M. H., Lillard, T. S., Morris, J. P., & Connelly, J. J. (2015). Epigenetic modification of the oxytocin receptor gene influences the perception of anger and fear in the human brain. PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, 112(11), 3308-3313. doi:10.1073/pnas.1422096112

Bell, A. F., Carter, C. S., Steer, C. D., Golding, J., Davis, J. M., Steffen, A. D., . . . Connelly, J. J. (2015). Interaction between oxytocin and receptor DNA methylation and genotype is associated with risk of postpartum depression in women without depression in pregnancy. FRONTIERS IN GENETICS, 6. doi:10.3389/fgene.2015.00243

Lancaster, K., Carter, C. S., Pournajafi-Nazarloo, H., Karaoli, T., Lillard, T. S., Jack, A., . . . Connelly, J. J. (2015). Plasma oxytocin explains individual differences in neural substrates of social perception. FRONTIERS IN HUMAN NEUROSCIENCE, 9. doi:10.3389/fnhum.2015.00132

2014

Pembrey, M., Golding, J., & Connelly, J. (2015). ZNF277 microdeletions, specific language impairment and the meiotic mismatch methylation (3M) hypothesis. EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF HUMAN GENETICS, 23(9), 1113. doi:10.1038/ejhg.2014.262

Laker, R. C., Connelly, J. J., & Yan, Z. (2014). Exercise Prevents Maternal High-Fat Diet-Induced Hypermethylation of the Pgc-1a Gene and Age-Dependent Metabolic Dysfunction in the Offspring. Diabetes 2014; 63: 160521611. DIABETES, 63(5), E6-E7. doi:10.2337/db14-0135

Laker, R. C., Lillard, T. S., Okutsu, M., Zhang, M., Hoehn, K. L., Connelly, J. J., & Yan, Z. (2014). Exercise Prevents Maternal High-Fat Diet-Induced Hypermethylation of the Pgc-1a Gene and Age-Dependent Metabolic Dysfunction in the Offspring. DIABETES, 63(5), 1605-1611. doi:10.2337/db13-1614

Manichaikul, A., Rich, S. S., Perry, H., Yeboah, J., Law, M., Davis, M., . . . Taylor, A. M. (2014). A Functionally Significant Polymorphism in ID3 Is Associated with Human Coronary Pathology. PLOS ONE, 9(3). doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0090222

Connelly, J. J., Golding, J., Gregory, S. P., Ring, S. M., Davis, J. M., Smith, G. D., . . . Pembrey, M. (2014). Personality, Behavior and Environmental Features Associated with OXTR Genetic Variants in British Mothers. PLOS ONE, 9(3). doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0090465

2013

Smith, K. E., Porges, E. C., Norman, G. J., Connelly, J. J., & Decety, J. (2014). Oxytocin receptor gene variation predicts empathic concern and autonomic arousal while perceiving harm to others. SOCIAL NEUROSCIENCE, 9(1), 1-9. doi:10.1080/17470919.2013.863223

Connelly, J. J., Cherepanova, O. A., Doss, J. F., Karaoli, T., Lillard, T. S., Markunas, C. A., . . . Gregory, S. G. (2013). Epigenetic regulation of COL15A1 in smooth muscle cell replicative aging and atherosclerosis. HUMAN MOLECULAR GENETICS, 22(25), 5107-5120. doi:10.1093/hmg/ddt365

Laker, R. C., Wlodek, M. E., Connelly, J. J., & Yan, Z. (2013). Epigenetic origins of metabolic disease: The impact of the maternal condition to the offspring epigenome and later health consequences. Food Science and Human Wellness, 2(1), 1-11. doi:10.1016/j.fshw.2013.03.002

Morris, J., Jack, A., & Connelly, J. (2013). DNA METHYLATION OF THE OXYTOCIN RECEPTOR GENE IS ASSOCIATED WITH CORTICAL AND SUBCORTICAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO EMOTIONAL FACE PERCEPTION. JOURNAL OF COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE, 130. Retrieved from https://www.webofscience.com/

2012

Wolstenholme, J. T., Edwards, M., Shetty, S. R. J., Gatewood, J. D., Taylor, J. A., Rissman, E. F., & Connelly, J. J. (2012). Gestational Exposure to Bisphenol A Produces Transgenerational Changes in Behaviors and Gene Expression. ENDOCRINOLOGY, 153(8), 3828-3838. doi:10.1210/en.2012-1195

Jack, A., Connelly, J. J., & Morris, J. P. (2012). DNA methylation of the oxytocin receptor gene predicts neural response to ambiguous social stimuli. FRONTIERS IN HUMAN NEUROSCIENCE, 6. doi:10.3389/fnhum.2012.00280

2011

Minear, M. A., Crosslin, D. R., Sutton, B. S., Connelly, J. J., Nelson, S. C., Gadson-Watson, S., . . . Gregory, S. G. (2011). Polymorphic variants in tenascin-C (TNC) are associated with atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease. HUMAN GENETICS, 129(6), 641-654. doi:10.1007/s00439-011-0959-z

Rudock, M. E., Cox, A. J., Ziegler, J. T., Lehtinen, A. B., Connelly, J. J., Freedman, B. I., . . . Bowden, D. W. (2011). Cigarette smoking status has a modifying effect on the association between polymorphisms in KALRN and measures of cardiovascular risk in the diabetes heart study. GENES & GENOMICS, 33(5), 483-490. doi:10.1007/s13258-011-0069-2

Wolstenholme, J. T., Taylor, J. A., Shetty, S. R. J., Edwards, M., Connelly, J. J., & Rissman, E. F. (2011). Gestational Exposure to Low Dose Bisphenol A Alters Social Behavior in Juvenile Mice. PLOS ONE, 6(9). doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0025448

2010

Wolstenholme, J. T., Rissman, E. F., & Connelly, J. J. (2011). The role of Bisphenol A in shaping the brain, epigenome and behavior. HORMONES AND BEHAVIOR, 59(3), 296-305. doi:10.1016/j.yhbeh.2010.10.001

Zhang, L., Connelly, J. J., Peppel, K., Brian, L., Shah, S. H., Nelson, S., . . . Freedman, N. J. (2010). Aging-related atherosclerosis is exacerbated by arterial expression of tumor necrosis factor receptor-1: evidence from mouse models and human association studies. HUMAN MOLECULAR GENETICS, 19(14), 2754-2766. doi:10.1093/hmg/ddq172

Wolstenholme, J. T., Cox, K. H., Connelly, J. J., & Rissman, E. F. (2010). In Utero Exposure to Bisphenol A Alters Social Behaviors and Methylation Levels of Esr1.. ENDOCRINE REVIEWS, 31(3). Retrieved from https://www.webofscience.com/