Polymorphisms of the μ‐opioid receptor gene influence cerebral pain processing in fibromyalgia

Abstract

We show that the functional polymorphism of the μ-opioid receptor gene OPRM1 was associated with alterations in the fronto-parietal network as well as with increased activation of posterior cingulum during evoked pain in FM. Thus, the OPRM1 polymorphism affects cerebral processing in brain regions implicated in salience, attention, and the default mode network. This finding is discussed in the light of pain and the opioid system, providing further evidence for a functional role of OPRM1 in cerebral pain processing.