Gene variants may help personalize treatment for opioid addiction
Yale researchers have discovered a genetic variant that may assist in personalizing treatment of opioid addiction.
The results of their genome-wide association study were published Jan. 24 in the journal Molecular Psychiatry.
The variant helped identify African Americans who might need higher doses of methadone — the most effective treatment for those dependent upon heroin or prescription painkillers. Patients receiving methadone treatment vary widely in their dose requirements. Individualized dosing is crucial to recovery: Too high of a dose can cause sedation and dangerous breathing difficulties; too low of a dose often leads to relapse. (Yale News, 24.01.2017)
http://news.yale.edu/2017/01/24/gene-variants-may-help-personalize-treatment-opioid-addiction