A Polymorphism of the μ‐Opioid Receptor Gene (OPRM1) and Sensitivity to the Effects of Alcohol in Humans

Abstract

These findings may help to explain previous research suggesting that naltrexone is more effective among individuals with the G allele. A medication that reduces feelings of euphoria after alcohol consumption may be more successful among individuals with a genetic predisposition to greater feelings of euphoria after consuming alcohol.

Negative affect is associated with alcohol, but not cigarette use in heavy drinking smokers

“…The addition of OPRM1as a covariate did not improve model fit or alter the significance of the results presented. OPRM1 genotype was associated with only stimulation slope (ˇ= 0.319, p < 0.05), a robust effect that has previously been reported for these data (Ray et al, 2013;Ray and Hutchison, 2004).…”

“…First, ADs did not differ from HDs in their positive response to alcohol (i.e., stimulation). This null result may be partially explained by the fact that both studies were balanced on OPRM1 genotype, which has been linked with greater stimulation response to alcohol (Barr et al, 2007;Ray and Hutchison, 2004;Ray et al, 2010c). While, statistically controlling for OPRM1 did not alter the significance of the results presented, prospective genotyping may have biased our findings away from detecting group level differences on stimulation response.…”

“…Heavy drinking participants (n = 49) were recruited from the Boulder Colorado community to participate in a study of subjective response to intravenous alcohol (Ray and Hutchison, 2004;Ray et al, 2006). Inclusion criteria were: (1) age 21-29, (2) score ≥ 8 on the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (Allen et al, 1997) indicating heavy alcohol use, and (3) selfreported drinking frequency of at least 3 drinks (2 for women), 2 or more times a week, and (4) no self-reported history of problems with alcohol or prior attempts to quit drinking.…”

“…Eligible participants then completed an in-person assessment session providing saliva samples for genotyping and completing a series of selfreport measures. In both samples, participants were prospectively genotyped to over-sample for the G-allele of the A118G SNP of the -opioid receptor (OPRM1) gene (Ray et al, 2013;Ray and Hutchison, 2004). Participants in the alcohol dependent group also met with a trained clinician who conducted a structured clinical interview for DSM-IV (SCID; First et al, 1995) to determine current (i.e., past month) alcohol dependence.…”

Variation at the mu-opioid receptor gene (OPRM1) influences attachment behavior in infant primates

“…Although the exact mechanism remains unclear (16,17), in vivo data support a gain-of-function role for these variants, as shown, for example, by increased alcohol-induced stimulation, an effect mediated through release of endogenous opioids (18)(19)(20). The aim of the present study was to examine whether the rhOPRM1 77G allele would influence attachment behavior in rhesus macaque infants.…”