Molecular tools to elucidate factors regulating alcohol use
1Department of Psychology, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN 46202, United States; Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, United States.
Alcohol (Fayetteville, N.Y.)
|July 24, 2018
Summary
New molecular tools offer deeper insights into alcohol use disorder (AUD). Understanding neurochemical changes can lead to targeted treatments for diverse AUD patient subpopulations.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Molecular Biology
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Alcohol use disorder (AUD) presents diverse symptoms and behaviors despite common diagnostic traits.
- The disorder's polygenic nature and complex neurocircuitry suggest varied neurochemical underpinnings.
- Understanding these neurochemical changes is crucial for addressing maladaptive alcohol-related behaviors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advances in molecular methodologies for studying AUD.
- To explore how these techniques enhance understanding of AUD's molecular basis.
- To identify potential new therapeutic targets for specific AUD subpopulations.
Main Methods:
- Highlighting cutting-edge molecular techniques.
- Focusing on methods that elucidate neurochemical changes related to alcohol intake.
- Reviewing literature on molecular adaptations in AUD.
Main Results:
- Recent molecular tools provide enhanced precision in studying alcohol's effects on behavior.
- These advancements facilitate a deeper understanding of the molecular mechanisms driving AUD.
- The reviewed methodologies show promise for identifying novel treatment strategies.
Conclusions:
- Advanced molecular tools are essential for dissecting the complex neurobiology of AUD.
- These techniques can reveal how neurochemical alterations differentially affect alcohol-related behaviors.
- Improved understanding through molecular insights may lead to personalized therapeutic interventions for AUD.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Molecular Factors Affecting Cell Division
3.9K
Several external and internal factors influence the initiation and inhibition of cell division. For instance, the death of nearby cells or the release of human growth hormone (hGH) promotes cell division. In contrast, lack of hGH or crowding of cells can inhibit cell division.
Several proteins function as internal regulators to ensure each cell cycle stage is completed faithfully before proceeding to the next. Regulator molecules may act directly or influence the activity or production of other...
Several proteins function as internal regulators to ensure each cell cycle stage is completed faithfully before proceeding to the next. Regulator molecules may act directly or influence the activity or production of other...
3.9K
02:14GTPases and their Regulation
9.9K
Guanine nucleotide-binding proteins (G-proteins), also known as GTPases, are a superfamily of proteins that regulate many cellular processes, such as cell signaling, vesicular transport, and the regulation of cell shape and motility. Mutation or dysfunction of these proteins can lead to disease. There are around 40,000 known G-proteins that can broadly be classified into two groups ‒ small G-proteins consisting of a single domain and large multi-domain G-proteins.
Large G-proteins,...
Large G-proteins,...
9.9K
02:16Transcription Factors
82.8K
Tissue-specific transcription factors contribute to diverse cellular functions in mammals. For example, the gene for beta globin, a major component of hemoglobin, is present in all cells of the body. However, it is only expressed in red blood cells because the transcription factors that can bind to the promoter sequences of the beta globin gene are only expressed in these cells. Tissue-specific transcription factors also ensure that mutations in these factors may impair only the function of...
82.8K
01:46Epigenetic Regulation
33.9K
Epigenetic mechanisms play an essential role in healthy development. Conversely, precisely regulated epigenetic mechanisms are disrupted in diseases like cancer.
33.9K
02:23Master Transcription Regulators
7.8K
Master transcription regulators are regulatory proteins that are predominantly responsible for regulating the expression of multiple genes. Often these genes work in concert to drive a complex process. Activation of a master transcription regulator can lead to a cascade of transcriptional activation necessary for that outcome. These regulators can directly bind to the regulatory sequences of the various genes involved, or they can indirectly regulate transcription by binding to regulatory...
7.8K
02:37Oxidation of Alcohols
16.2K
In this lesson, the oxidation of alcohols is discussed in depth. The various reagents used for oxidation of primary and secondary alcohols are detailed, and their mechanism of action is provided.
The process of oxidation in a chemical reaction is observed in any of the three forms:
The process of oxidation in a chemical reaction is observed in any of the three forms:
16.2K