Is there genetic polymorphism evidence for individual human sensitivity to opiates?

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 16, 2026

Assessment of Morphine-induced Hyperalgesia and Analgesic Tolerance in Mice Using Thermal and Mechanical Nociceptive Modalities
07:23

Assessment of Morphine-induced Hyperalgesia and Analgesic Tolerance in Mice Using Thermal and Mechanical Nociceptive Modalities

Published on: July 29, 2014

Makoto Nagashima1, Ryoji Katoh, Yasuo Sato

  • 1Department of Molecular Psychiatry, Tokyo Institute of Psychiatry, 2-1-8 Kamikitazawa, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 156-8585, Japan.

Current Pain and Headache Reports
|March 21, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Genetic variations in the mu opioid peptide receptor (MOP) gene influence how individuals respond to opiate pain relievers. Understanding these genetic differences can lead to personalized pain management strategies.

Area of Science:

  • Pharmacogenomics
  • Neuroscience
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Opiate analgesics are crucial for managing severe acute and chronic cancer pain.
  • Individual variability in opiate effectiveness and side effects poses clinical challenges, including abuse risks.
  • Genetic factors are implicated in the diverse responses to opiate medications.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the correlation between genetic polymorphisms in the mu opioid peptide receptor (OPRM1) gene and variations in opiate sensitivity.
  • To explore how OPRM1 gene variations impact opiate analgesia, tolerance, and dependence.
  • To lay the groundwork for personalized pain treatment approaches based on genetic profiling.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing studies on mu opioid peptide receptor (MOP) function and knockout mouse models.
  • Analysis of identified polymorphisms within the human OPRM1 gene.
  • Correlation studies examining the relationship between OPRM1 polymorphisms and opiate sensitivity metrics.

Main Results:

  • The analgesic effects of morphine are linked to the expression levels of the mu opioid peptide receptor (MOP).
  • Over 100 polymorphisms have been identified in the human OPRM1 gene.
  • These polymorphisms show potential links to OPRM1 mRNA stability and variations in opiate response.

Conclusions:

  • Genetic variations in the OPRM1 gene significantly influence individual sensitivity to opiate analgesics.
  • Further research into gene polymorphisms and opiate sensitivity is essential for developing personalized pain therapies.
  • Predicting patient response to opiates based on genetic makeup promises optimized pain management and reduced adverse effects.

More Related Videos

Combining Laser Capture Microdissection and Microfluidic qPCR to Analyze Transcriptional Profiles of Single Cells: A Systems Biology Approach to Opioid Dependence09:54

Combining Laser Capture Microdissection and Microfluidic qPCR to Analyze Transcriptional Profiles of Single Cells: A Systems Biology Approach to Opioid Dependence

Published on: March 8, 2020

Related Concept Videos

Opioid Receptors: Overview01:22

Opioid Receptors: Overview

Opioid receptors, including the mu (μ, MOR), delta (δ, DOR), and kappa (κ, KOR) types, belong to the rhodopsin family of G protein-coupled receptors. These receptors are located throughout the central and peripheral nervous systems and in non-neuronal tissues such as macrophages and astrocytes. Opioid receptor ligands can be categorized into agonists or antagonists. Highly selective agonists include [d-Ala2, MePhe4, Gly(ol)5]-enkephalin or DAMGO for MOR, [D-Pen2, D-Pen5]-enkephalin or DPDPE for...
Analgesia and Pain Management01:25

Analgesia and Pain Management

Pain is critical to various clinical pathologies, provoking an urgent need for effective management. Pain, whether acute or chronic, is a complex neurochemical process. Its alleviation depends on the type, with nonopioid analgesics effective for mild to moderate pain, such as musculoskeletal or inflammatory pain, while neuropathic pain responds best to anticonvulsants, tricyclic antidepressants, or serotonin/norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors. For severe acute or chronic pain, opioids may be...
Drug toxicity: Idiosyncratic Reactions01:16

Drug toxicity: Idiosyncratic Reactions

Idiosyncratic drug reactions represent abnormal chemical responses that vary significantly among individuals, ranging from extreme sensitivity to low doses to insensitivity to high doses. These reactions often occur due to the drug's covalent binding with serum proteins, forming a foreign hapten that triggers an immunotoxicological response. The variability in drug reactions has a strong pharmacogenetic foundation, with genetic differences crucial in how individuals metabolize drugs. For...
Opioid Analgesics: Morphine and Other Natural Cogeners01:20

Opioid Analgesics: Morphine and Other Natural Cogeners

Opioids are a class of drugs that mimic endogenous opioid peptides and act on opioid receptors, and help in pain relief. These compounds are classified as natural, synthetic, or semi-synthetic. Natural opioids, like morphine, codeine, and thebaine, are derived from the opium poppy plant (Papaver somniferum or Papaver album) and are termed opiates. Synthetic opioids are artificial, while semi-synthetic opioids combine natural and synthetic compounds. Morphine, a prototypical opioid, possesses a...
Principles of Pharmacogenetics: Types of Genetic Variants01:27

Principles of Pharmacogenetics: Types of Genetic Variants

The human genome is over 99.9% identical between individuals, yet genetic differences exist at millions of bases. The human genome contains approximately 3 million variant positions per individual, many of which are heterozygous, contributing to genetic diversity and individual traits. Genetic variations include single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), insertions, deletions, and copy number variations (CNVs).SNPs, the most common variation, involve single-base changes in DNA. These can be...
Pharmacogenetic Phenotypes: Alterations in Pharmacokinetics, Drug Targets and Biologic Milieu01:29

Pharmacogenetic Phenotypes: Alterations in Pharmacokinetics, Drug Targets and Biologic Milieu

Genetic variations significantly influence drug response through pharmacokinetics, receptor interactions, and biologic milieu modifications. Pharmacokinetic alterations impact drug metabolism and clearance, affecting efficacy and toxicity. Variants in drug-metabolizing enzymes, such as CYP2C9 and CYP2C19, alter drug activation and elimination. For example, CYP2C9 loss-of-function variants require lower warfarin doses to prevent excessive bleeding, while CYP2C19 variants reduce clopidogrel...