GETTY Scientists have discovered a gene that makes people chatty

A study of 129 people found those with less of the protein had more difficulty recognising emotional facial expressions - and tended to have more anxiety about their relationships with loved ones. It could lead to the development of medications that boost its production in patients who have difficulty socialising. Scientists found when the gene OXT was reduced by a process called methylation participants produced less oxytocin - known as the 'cuddle hormone' because of the part it plays in human bonding.

Professor Brian Haas, of Georgia University, said: "Methylation restricts how much a gene is expressed. "An increase in methylation typically corresponds to a decrease in the expression of a gene so it affects how much a particular gene is functioning. "When methylation increases on the OXT gene this may correspond to a reduction in this gene's activity. Our study shows that this can have a profound impact on social behaviours." This comes as it is revealed a video game could help boost brain function of Parkinson's sufferers and THIS is how

GETTY Those with less of the protein had more difficulty recognising facial emotions

His researchers carried out genetic tests on saliva samples collected from participants to show the levels of methylation on the OXT gene. The participants went through a battery of tests to evaluate their social skills as well as their brain structure and function. They were presented with brief video clips of people's faces that begin with a neutral expression and gradually morph into an emotional ones and had to press a button as soon as they felt confident they recognised how they were feeling. Prof Haas said: "Participants with greater methylation of the OXT gene were less accurate in describing the emotional states of the people they saw in pictures.

“That's a typical characteristic associated with autism, for example." The researchers also used brain scans (fMRI) to examine the regions sparked during various tasks. They found those with increased methylation of the OXT gene had reduced activity in brain regions associated with sociability.

GETTY Those with less of the protein also tended to have more anxiety about their relationships

These participants also displayed reduced grey matter within an area called the fusiform gyrus - important for face processing and social cognition. Prof Haas said: "All of our tests indicate the OXT gene plays an important role in social behaviour and brain function." The results published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences are preliminary and much work must be done to more clearly define the role of oxytocin and the genes that control it.

GETTY Researchers also studied brain scans in the study