TABLE 4.  Representative animal studies of drug abuse genetics a

Drug

Behavior

Genetic approach

Comments

Opioids

Preference

Inbred strain

Classical analysis

Significant genetic influence.

High heritability and dominance for

morphine preference.

 

 

Selection

Bidirectional shift in morphine and ethanol

preference.

 

 

Quantative trait locus

Three significant loci:  Chromosomes 8, 10,

12; chromosome 8, ES-1 confirmed within

inbreds.

 

Conditioned place

preference

Operant self-administration

Inbred strain

 

Inbred strain

Predominantly qualitative differences; not

always similar to preference.

Acquisition dependent upon history, route,

and access; differences found in

extinction.

Cocaline

Preference

Conditioned place

preference

 

 

Operant self-administration

Inbred strain

Inbred strain

 

Selection

 

Inbred strain

Significant genetic influence.

Significant genetic influence.

 

Bidirectional shift unrelated to high-dose

cocaine discrimination.

Significant genetic influence in similar

direction as ethanol, opioids, and

diazepam.

Amphetamine

Intracranial self-stimulation

 

Operant self-administration

 

 

Within subjects/randomly

inbred rodents

Potency and efficacy significantly influenced

by genotype.

Rate of acquisition correlated with innate

locomotor behavior.

Benzodiazapine

Operant self-administration

Inbred strains

Significant genetic influence in similar

direction as ethanol, opioids, and

cocaine.

THC

Intracranial self-stimulation

Inbred strains

Significant genotype-dependent change;

complements operant studies with other

drugs.

   a See text for references

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published 2000