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Related Concept Videos

Drug Abuse and Addiction: Pharmacological Phenomena01:15

Drug Abuse and Addiction: Pharmacological Phenomena

Drug dependence, abuse, and addiction are complex phenomena that can precipitate various abnormal states. Physical dependence refers to a state of pharmacological adaptation to a drug. This adaptation often results in tolerance—a reduced response to the drug after repeated administrations. When the drug use is abruptly stopped, withdrawal symptoms occur due to the body's need to readjust from the pharmacologically induced imbalance. However, tolerance and withdrawal symptoms do not necessarily...
MicroRNAs01:22

MicroRNAs

MicroRNA (miRNA) are short, regulatory RNA transcribed from introns (non-coding regions of a gene) or intergenic regions (stretches of DNA present between genes). Several processing steps are required to form biologically active, mature miRNA. The initial transcript, called primary miRNA (pri-mRNA), base-pairs with itself, forming a stem-loop structure. Within the nucleus, an endonuclease enzyme, called Drosha, shortens the stem-loop structure into hairpin-shaped pre-miRNA. After the pre-miRNA...
MicroRNAs01:22

MicroRNAs

MicroRNA (miRNA) are short, regulatory RNA transcribed from introns—non-coding regions of a gene—or intergenic regions—stretches of DNA present between genes. Several processing steps are required to form biologically active, mature miRNA. The initial transcript, called primary miRNA (pri-mRNA), base-pairs with itself forming a stem-loop structure. Within the nucleus, an endonuclease enzyme, called Drosha, shortens the stem-loop structure into hairpin-shaped pre-miRNA. After the pre-miRNA ends...
MicroRNAs01:22

MicroRNAs

MicroRNA (miRNA) are short, regulatory RNA transcribed from introns—non-coding regions of a gene—or intergenic regions—stretches of DNA present between genes. Several processing steps are required to form biologically active, mature miRNA. The initial transcript, called primary miRNA (pri-mRNA), base-pairs with itself forming a stem-loop structure. Within the nucleus, an endonuclease enzyme, called Drosha, shortens the stem-loop structure into hairpin-shaped pre-miRNA. After the pre-miRNA ends...
CNS Depressants: Alcohol and Nicotine01:27

CNS Depressants: Alcohol and Nicotine

Ethanol, a clear colorless alcohol, has been consumed by humans for millennia, but its effects on the body are far from benign. At lower doses, it induces decreased inhibitions and loquaciousness, leading to its social appeal. However, it can cause severe consequences at higher doses, such as coma and respiratory depression, due to its zero-order elimination kinetics. Chronic ethanol abuse wreaks havoc on multiple organ systems, particularly the CNS and the liver. Abrupt cessation of ethanol...
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Drug Dependence

Medications are typically administered to achieve therapeutic effects. Some drugs can modify an individual's mood and perception, frequently resulting in various enjoyable experiences. However, this can result in drug dependency, a condition marked by continuous drug use despite potential negative consequences. Drug dependency primarily falls into two categories: psychological and physical dependence. Psychological dependence occurs when the pleasurable feelings induced by the drug...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 1, 2026

Investigating Drivers of Antireward in Addiction Behavior with Anatomically Specific Single-Cell Gene Expression Methods
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Published on: August 4, 2022

MicroRNAs in addiction: adaptation's middlemen?

M D Li1, A D van der Vaart

  • 1Department of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Sciences, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22911, USA. Ming_Li@virginia.edu

Molecular Psychiatry
|May 25, 2011
PubMed
Summary

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are key regulators of long-term brain changes in addiction. These small molecules dynamically control gene expression, influencing synaptic plasticity and addiction-related neuroadaptations.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Addiction involves persistent changes in brain function.
  • MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are emerging as critical regulators of cellular responses.
  • miRNAs rapidly modulate gene expression, impacting synaptic plasticity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the role of miRNAs in neuroadaptation and addiction.
  • To highlight miRNA regulation of key addiction-related genes.
  • To explore the implications of miRNA-mediated gene regulation in psychiatric disorders.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of recent research on miRNAs in plasticity and addiction.
  • Analysis of miRNA roles in regulating neurotrophin BDNF, CREB, and MeCP2.
  • Synthesis of evidence on miRNA-mediated gene regulation mechanisms.

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Rodent Brain Microinjection to Study Molecular Substrates of Motivated Behavior
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Investigating Drivers of Antireward in Addiction Behavior with Anatomically Specific Single-Cell Gene Expression Methods
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Combining Laser Capture Microdissection and Microfluidic qPCR to Analyze Transcriptional Profiles of Single Cells: A Systems Biology Approach to Opioid Dependence
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Combining Laser Capture Microdissection and Microfluidic qPCR to Analyze Transcriptional Profiles of Single Cells: A Systems Biology Approach to Opioid Dependence

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Rodent Brain Microinjection to Study Molecular Substrates of Motivated Behavior

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Main Results:

  • miRNAs play a distinct role in converting drug-induced synaptic changes into long-term neuroadaptations.
  • miRNAs dynamically regulate local mRNA transcripts, impacting cellular responsiveness.
  • miRNA action coordinates with addiction-implicated genes like BDNF, CREB, and MeCP2.

Conclusions:

  • miRNA-mediated gene regulation is a conserved mechanism for neuronal response to environmental signals.
  • Understanding miRNA roles offers significant implications for addiction and psychiatric illnesses.
  • miRNAs represent a crucial link between cellular signaling and long-term neurobiological changes in addiction.