VMAT2 gene (SLC18A2) variants associated with a greater risk for developing opioid dependence

Abstract

Aim: To determine if selected serotonergic and noradrenergic gene variants are associated with heroin addiction. Subjects methods: A total of 126 variants in 19 genes in subjects with Dutch European ancestry from The Netherlands. Subjects included 281 opioid-dependent volunteers in methadone maintenance or heroin-assisted treatment, 163 opioid-exposed but not opioid-dependent volunteers who have been using illicit opioids but never became opioid-dependent and 153 healthy controls. Results: Nominal associations were indicated for 20 variants in six genes including an experiment-wise significant association from the combined effect of three SLC18A2 SNPs (rs363332, rs363334 and rs363338) with heroin dependence (pfinal = 0.047). Conclusion: Further studies are warranted to confirm and elucidate the role of these variants in the vulnerability to opioid addiction.