Effect of µ opiate receptor gene polymorphisms on addiction

Addiction to opiates and illicit use of psychostimulants is a chronic, relapsing brain disease that, if left untreated, can cause major medical, social, and economic problems. In addition to environmental factors, genetic background plays an important role in the susceptibility toward drugs of abuse. Inter-individual differences underlying drug abuse (such as initiation, addiction, and abstinence) would provide information that might lead to novel treatment and prevention approaches.The opiate receptor mediates the action of morphin and the A118G polymorphism is candidate gene for studies of opiate dependence.The aim of our study was to examine whether µ-opiate receptor gene (OPRM1) polymorphism was associated with substance dependence in Turkish population.103 addicts were included in the study to evaluate the association of variants with addiction. 83 healthy volunteers with similar demographic features were included as a control group. Subjects were conformed to the criteria for opiate dependency as defined by DSM-IV. Demographic questionnaire and drug -taking history questionnaire was employed to collect information. Blood samples were collected and SNP genotyping was done for OPRM1 genetic polymorphismsThe G allele in Addiction Group was 16,1% and 8,4 % in Control Group. The difference between groups is significant.In conclusion, there was a significant association between OPRM1 A118G gene polimorphisms and addicton. However, further studies with combination of several SNP are required for clinical managemet of addicted patients.