Substantial attributable risk related to a functional mu-opioid receptor gene polymorphism in association with heroin addiction in central Sweden

The addictions are complex diseases whose onset, persistence, and treatment are influenced by genetic, environmental, and pharmacological factors. The authors tested for an association between heroin addiction and the presence of the common A118G functional single-nucleotide polymorphism in exon 1 of the mu-opioid receptor gene in a cohort of subjects from central Sweden. The results indicate that, in central Sweden, the functional A118G polymorphism in exon 1 of the mu-opioid receptor gene is associated with an increased risk for heroin addiction.