Addiction Medicine Certification Neurobiology of Addiction 3

Question 1

What percentage of addiction vulnerability is estimated to be attributable to genetic factors?

Accepted Answer

40–60%

Answer

Twin and family studies consistently estimate that genetic factors account for approximately 40–60% of the risk for developing substance use disorders, with the remainder due to environmental factors.

Question 2

Epigenetic changes in addiction refer to:

Accepted Answer

Heritable changes in gene expression without alteration of the underlying DNA sequence

Answer

Epigenetic changes such as DNA methylation and histone modification alter gene expression without changing the DNA sequence and may persist or be passed to offspring, linking environment to heritable biology.

Question 3

The OPRM1 A118G polymorphism is clinically relevant in addiction medicine because it:

Accepted Answer

Predicts differential response to naltrexone treatment for alcohol use disorder

Answer

The OPRM1 A118G variant affects mu-opioid receptor function and has been associated with differential response to naltrexone, with some evidence that carriers of the G allele show better treatment outcomes.

Question 4

Which concept best explains why some individuals can use substances recreationally without developing addiction while others progress to compulsive use?

Accepted Answer

Gene-environment interactions affecting neurobiological vulnerability

Answer

Gene-environment interactions, where genetic predispositions interact with environmental factors such as trauma, stress, and age of first use, determine neurobiological vulnerability to addiction.

Question 5

What is 'incentive salience' in addiction neurobiology?

Accepted Answer

The process by which drug-associated cues acquire powerful motivational significance driving drug-seeking

Answer

Incentive salience, driven by dopamine in the nucleus accumbens, is the process by which conditioned stimuli associated with drug use acquire intense motivational value, eliciting craving and drug-seeking when encountered.

Addiction Medicine Certification Practice Test

Addiction Medicine Certification Practice Test

Addiction Medicine Certification Neurobiology of Addiction 3