ASSOCIATIONS STUDYO OF DOPAMIINED D3 AND D3 RECEPTOR GENE POLYMORPHISMS WITTH COCAINE DEPENDENCE
ASSOCIATIONS STUDYO OF DOPAMIINED D3 AND D3 RECEPTOR GENE POLYMORPHISMS WITTH COCAINE DEPENDENCE
Guilherme Messas, Ivanor MeiraLima; Marília Turch;Olavo Franco; AdautoCastelo Ronaldo Laranjeira and Homero Vallada
Family and twin studies suggest a substantial genetic component in the vulnerability of individuals to become dependent after exposed to cocaine (Merikangas et al, 1998; Bierut et al, 1998; Kendler & Prescott, 1998). The reinforcing properties of cocaine are related with the dopaminergic system, and in particular the dopamine receptors have been implicated in “reward” mechanisms (Comings & Blum, 2000; Noble EP, 2000). The effect of neurotransmitter interaction at the mesolimbic brain region induces a “reward” when dopamine is released from the neuron at the nucleus accumbens and interacts with a dopamine receptor. A dopaminergic mechanism may therefore be responsible for interindividual differences in the susceptibility to developing cocaine dependence. In the context of a molecular genetic approach to this issue, candidate genes related to this vulnerability include the dopamine receptor gene
