Biological research on drug abuse and addiction in Hispanics: current status and future directions

Impressive progress has been made in the understanding of biological contributions to drug abuse and addiction. An area that has only recently begun to receive attention is potential ethnic and racial differences in biological systems that contribute to, or protect from, problem drug use. This article reviews recent research on drug abuse and addiction in Hispanics in which biological questions have been addressed, including work on genes, gene products (proteins), physiology and pharmacotherapy. Taken together, work to date suggests that there are both similarities and differences between Hispanics and other ethnic groups in biological factors related to drug abuse and addiction. Although the results are intriguing, relatively few studies have been done, and those that have been done have often been inconclusive due to low numbers of Hispanic subjects. Moreover, studies have often failed to recognize the complexity and heterogeneity of Hispanic populations in the United States and around the world. After reviewing the current status of the field, recommendations are given for future research in both humans and relevant animal models that will lead to a better understanding of drug abuse and addiction in Hispanics.