The neuroimmune transcriptome and alcohol dependence: potential for targeted therapies

Transcriptome profiling enables discovery of gene networks that are altered in alcoholic brains. This technique has revealed involvement of the brain's neuroimmune system in regulating alcohol abuse and dependence, and has provided potential therapeutic targets. In this review, we discuss Toll-like-receptor pathways, hypothesized to be key players in many stages of the alcohol addiction cycle. The growing appreciation of the neuroimmune system's involvement in alcoholism has also led to consideration of crucial roles for glial cells, including astrocytes and microglia, in the brain's response to alcohol abuse. We discuss current knowledge and hypotheses on the roles that specific neuroimmune cell types may play in addiction. Current strategies for repurposing US FDA-approved drugs for the treatment of alcohol use disorders are also discussed.