Placebo Hypoalgesic Effects and Genomics

Abstract

Genomic studies on the placebo hypoalgesic effects highlight a promising link between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the dopamine, opioid, and endocannabinoid genes and placebo hypoalgesia. Yet, epistasis, replication, GWAS, and omics studies are missing. In this chapter, we elaborate upon the state-of-the-science of the genomics of the placebo and nocebo effect across pain conditions and populations with a focus on current challenges and areas of future discovery. We indicate directions for future research that will help fully understand the complexity of placebo effects and molecular mechanisms that predict individuals who may display a placebo effect.