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The endogenous opioid system has been implicated in major depression and in the action of antidepressants. These researchers examined data from the Sequenced Treatment Alternatives to Relieve Depression (STAR*D) study to see whether variations in the µ-opioid receptor gene (OPRM1) might influence response to and remission with citalopram treatment. The µ-opioid receptor has affinities for endogenous opioid peptide neurotransmitters and for natural and synthetic opiates.
The researchers tested associations between 48 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on OPRM1 in 1631 STAR*D participants who were taking citalopram and three phenotypes (remission, general response, and specific response). Specific response was defined as treatment response…