Dopamine receptors implicated in drug problems

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by Change | 30 Dec 2008

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A new study has found a genetic factor in risk-taking behaviour, which could increase the chances of addiction relapse.

Risk-takers are more likely to be at danger of addiction relapse due to a variation on their dopamine levels, a study shows.

New research published in the Journal of Neuroscience reveals people who exhibit these behaviours often have less of a specific dopamine receptor.

It suggests this leads to them seeking out new experiences such as lavish spending, risk taking and drug abuse.

David Zald, lead author for the study and an associate professor of psychology, claims the desire to try these is inversely related to the number of auto-receptors these people have.

He says: "Novelty-seeking personality traits are a major risk factor for the development of drug abuse and other unsafe behaviours."

Suggesting these individuals respond more to these situations, which release dopamine, this could mean recovering dependents could be more prone to addiction relapse.

The study focused on the behaviours of novelty-seekers and found a correlation between this and the number of dopamine auto-receptors they possessed.

Last month, research by the Central Institute of Mental Health has found a genetic marker which indicates a higher risk of cocaine addiction among users.

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