rs1076560 is associated with brain anatomy and function in healthy controls and this is likely due to its role in DRD2 splicing, which alters the ratio of D2S and D2L isoforms and subsequently impacts pre- and post-synaptic dopamine signaling. rs1076560 is also found to increase risk for psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia and also the risk for developing substance dependence. We confirm the role of rs1076560 in drug dependence by documenting an association of the minor allele with opioid dependence in both AA and EA populations. Future studies in drug dependent populations should seek to determine the specificity of this finding for opioid, cocaine and alcohol dependence and also whether minor allele carriers of rs1076560 may be amenable to certain pharmacotherapies for the treatment of drug addiction.
