Genetic variations in genes of the stress response pathway are associated with prolonged abstinence from heroin

Aim: This study assesses whether genetic variants in stress-related genes are associated with prolonged abstinence from heroin in subjects that are not in long-term methadone treatment. Methods: Frequencies of 117 polymorphisms in 30 genes were compared between subjects with history of heroin addiction, either without agonist treatment (n = 129) or in methadone maintenance treatment (n = 923). Results: SNP rs1500 downstream of CRHBP and an interaction of SNPs rs10482672 (NR3C1) and rs4234955 (NPY1R/NPY5R) were significantly associated with prolonged abstinence without agonist treatment. Conclusion: This study suggests that variability in stress-related genes may contribute to the ability of certain subjects to remain in prolonged abstinence from heroin, possibly due to higher resilience to stress.