Is there genetic polymorphism evidence
for individual human sensitivity to opiates?
by
Nagashima M, Katoh R, Sato Y, Tagami M, Kasai S, Ikeda K.
Department of Molecular Psychiatry,
Tokyo Institute of Psychiatry,
2-1-8 Kamikitazawa, Setagaya-ku,
Tokyo 156-8585, Japan.
ikedak@prit.go.jp.
Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2007 Apr;11(2):115-23.

ABSTRACT

Opiate analgesics have been widely used for severe acute pain and chronic cancer-related pain. Individual differences in the effectiveness of opiates and their side effects limit the clinical benefits and increase risks of drug abuse. Genetic factors might affect variations of opiate sensitivity. The mu opioid peptide receptor (MOP) is the principal site of pharmacologic actions for most clinically important opiate drugs. Recent studies using various knockout mice and recombinant-inbred strain CXBK mice have indicated that the analgesic effect of morphine is dependent on the amount of the MOP. There are more than 100 polymorphisms identified in the human MOP (OPRM1) gene. These polymorphisms might be correlated with OPRM1 mRNA stability and opiate sensitivity, including opiate analgesia, tolerance, and dependence. More precise studies on the relationship between gene polymorphisms and opiate sensitivity will enable realization of personalized pain treatment by predicting opiate sensitivity and requirement for each patient.

Mu
Pain
Heroin
DAMGO
SOD mu
Tolerance
Methadone
Receptor subtypes
Morphine/verapamil
Fentanyl and ketamine
Dynorphin and dopamine
Mu opioid receptor subtypes
Genes, pharmacology and mu
Depression, opioids and the HPA
Kappa upregulation and addiction
Mice without mu don't miss their moms
Mu-opioid receptors, drugs and reward
Kappa opioid receptor gene polymorphism
Chemical addiction and the science of love
Opioids, depression and learned helplessness

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