activity of dopaminergic neurons that produce the ‘wanting’ effects. However, it is unclear to what extent these OPRM1 variants (rs3778150 and rs1799971) might influence incentive sensitization processes and subsequent risk for problematic alcohol use, given that the current study was unable to evaluate their genetic effects in the context of this model. Genetic factors may be helpful to inform on etiology and differentiate between theoretical models of alcohol dependence, although it is unrealistic to expect any single variant to have a large effect or generalize across different complex behavioral models, such as those described above. Nonetheless, the results from the current study support arguments that genetic variation in OPRM1 may act to lower subjective response to alcohol and thus increase risk for higher levels of alcohol use.
