COCAINE DEPENDENCE AND GENETIC SUSCEPTIBILITY IN THE DOPAMINERGIC SYSTEM

Cocaine dependence is a multifactorial condition with high global 
prevalence. Environmental, psychological, and contextual factors influence its onset and 
maintenance, and genetic susceptibility has gained prominence as an additional 
explanatory element. This study aims to reinforce findings that demonstrate the 
contribution of genetics to cocaine dependence, with an emphasis on genes associated 
with the dopaminergic system. Original articles indexed in PubMed were included. 
Results show that alterations in the dopaminergic system directly influence the risk of 
compulsive use. Genes DRD2, ANKK1, SLC6A3, COMT, OPRM1, and DBH stood out 
for their recurrence and functional relevance. The data corroborate the importance of 
the dopaminergic pathway in the genetic susceptibility to this disorder.