1 research outputs found
BDNF Val 66 Met genotype is associated with drugâseeking phenotypes in heroinâdependent individuals: a pilot study
Brainâderived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) Val 66 Met genotype has been associated with neurobehavioral deficits. To examine its relevance for addiction, we examined BDNF genotype differences in drugâseeking behavior. Heroinâdependent volunteers ( n â=â128) completed an interview that assessed pastâmonth naturalistic drugâseeking/use behaviors. In African Americans ( n â=â74), the Met allele was uncommon (carrier frequency 6.8%); thus, analyses focused on European Americans ( n â=â54), in whom the Met allele was common (carrier frequency 37.0%). In their natural setting, Met carriers ( n â=â20) reported more timeâ and costâintensive heroinâseeking and more cigarette use than Val homozygotes ( n â=â34). BDNF Val 66 Met genotype predicted 18.4% of variance in âweekly heroin investmentâ (purchasing timeâĂâamountâĂâfrequency). These data suggest that the BDNF Met allele may confer a âpreferred drugâinvestedâ phenotype, resistant to moderating effects of higher drug prices and nonâdrug reinforcement. These preliminary hypothesisâgenerating findings require replication, but are consistent with preâclinical data that demonstrate neurotrophic influence in drug reinforcement. Whether this genotype is relevant to other abused substances besides opioids or nicotine, or treatment response, remains to be determined.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/99593/1/adb431.pdfhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/99593/2/adb431_sm_fig_s1.pd