Social hedonic capacity is associated with the A118G polymorphism of the mu-opioid receptor gene (OPRM1) in adult healthy volunteers and psychiatric patients
Abstract
A large body of evidence links altered opioid signaling with changes in social behavior in animals. However, few studies have attempted to determine whether similar links exist in humans. Here we investigate whether a common polymorphism (A118G) in the mu-opioid receptor gene (OPRM1) is associated with alterations in personality traits linked to affiliative behavior and attachment. In a mixed sample (N = 214) of adult healthy volunteers and psychiatric patients, we analyzed the association between the A118G polymorphism of the OPRM1 and two different psychological constructs reflecting individual differences in the capacity to experience social reward. Compared to individuals expressing only the major allele (A) of the A118G polymorphism, subjects expressing the minor allele (G) had an increased tendency to become engaged in affectionate relationships, as indicated by lower scores on a self-report measure of avoidant attachment, and experienced more pleasure in social situations, as indicated by lower scores on a self-report measure of social anhedonia. The OPRM1 variation accounted for about 3.5% of the variance in the two measures. The significant association between the A118G polymorphism and social hedonic capacity was independent of the participants' mental health status. The results reported here are in agreement with the brain opioid hypothesis of social attachment and the established role of opioid transmission in mediating affiliative behavior.
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PET and genetic studies have linked β-endorphin (μ-opioid) receptor variation with attachment style.
“Positron emission tomography (PET) and genetic studies have linked β -endorphin ( μ -opioid) receptor variation with attachment style (31, 32)”
From Variation in the β-endorphin, oxytocin, and dopamine receptor genes is associated with different dimensions of human sociality (2017) · cites this paper as [31]
A small number of OXTR SNPs were found to be tied to attachment style in close friendships and measures of empathy in this study.
“a small number of OXTR SNPs were found to be tied to attachment style in close friendships and measures of empathy in this study, echoing past work (30, 31)”
From Variation in the β-endorphin, oxytocin, and dopamine receptor genes is associated with different dimensions of human sociality (2017) · cites this paper as [31]
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- Authors
- Troisi, A., Frazzetto, G., Carola, V., Di Lorenzo, G., Coviello, M., D'Amato, F. R., Moles, A., Siracusano, A., & Gross, C.
- Affiliations
- University of Rome Tor Vergata (IT)
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory (IT)
- Corresponding author
- Troisi, Alfonso
- Venue
- Social Neuroscience
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2011-02-17
- Volume
- 6
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 88-97
- ISSN
- 1747-0919 (ISSN-L)
- 1747-0927
- OpenAlex
- W2073304132
- Cited by
- 118
- References
- 58
- Citations by year
- 2026: 3 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 6 · 2023: 5 · 2022: 4 · 2021: 3 · 2020: 9 · 2019: 13 · 2018: 9 · 2017: 12 · 2016: 8 · 2015: 8 · 2014: 10 · 2013: 6 · 2012: 11
- FWCI
- 2.84
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Social Neuroscience (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Cineca Institutional Research Information System (Tor Vergata University) (submittedVersion)
- IRIS Research product catalog (Sapienza University of Rome) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Neuroendocrine regulation and behavior
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neuropeptides and Animal Physiology
- Keywords
- OPRM1, A118G polymorphism, social anhedonia, attachment avoidance, affiliative behavior, personality traits, opioid signaling, social attachment, psychiatric patients, genetic association
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Female, Genotype, Humans, Male, Psychometrics, Social Behavior, Polymerase Chain Reaction, Receptors, Opioid, mu, Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
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