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Updated: Mar 2, 2026

Comprehensive Analysis of Transcription Dynamics from Brain Samples Following Behavioral Experience
Published on: August 26, 2014
DNA Methylation Dynamics and Cocaine in the Brain: Progress and Prospects
Kathryn Vaillancourt1, Carl Ernst2, Deborah Mash3
1Department of Psychiatry, McGill Group for Suicide Studies, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Verdun, QC H4H 1R3, Canada. kathryn.vaillancourt@mail.mcgill.ca.
Abstract:
Cytosine modifications, including DNA methylation, are stable epigenetic marks that may translate environmental change into transcriptional regulation. Research has begun to investigate DNA methylation dynamics in relation to cocaine use disorders. Specifically, DNA methylation machinery, including methyltransferases and binding proteins, are dysregulated in brain reward pathways after chronic cocaine exposure. In addition, numerous methylome-wide and candidate promoter studies have identified differential methylation, at the nucleotide level, in rodent models of cocaine abuse and drug seeking behavior. This review highlights the current progress in the field of cocaine-related methylation, and offers considerations for future research.
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