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Neuroepigenetics and addictive behaviors: Where do we stand?
David De Sa Nogueira1, Karine Merienne2, Katia Befort1
1Laboratoire de Neurosciences Cognitives et Adaptatives (LNCA), UMR 7364, CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, Team 3 « Abuse of Drugs and Neuroadaptations », Faculté de Psychologie, 12 rue Goethe, F-67000, France.
Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews
|September 12, 2018
Summary
Epigenetic changes in the brain, including DNA methylation and histone modifications, are key to understanding addiction and relapse. These neuroepigenetic mechanisms explain long-term effects of substance use disorders.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Genetics
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Substance use disorders (SUDs) are characterized by compulsive drug seeking and high relapse rates.
- Long-term brain alterations are central to SUDs.
- Epigenetic regulations are increasingly recognized for their role in gene expression following drug exposure.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review genome-wide epigenetic modifications in the brain related to addiction.
- To focus on DNA methylation and histone modifications in addicted individuals and animal models.
- To discuss implications for understanding persistent drug effects and relapse vulnerability.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing studies on genome-wide epigenetic modifications in addiction.
- Focus on DNA methylation and histone modifications.
- Analysis of transcriptional data associated with epigenetic changes.
Main Results:
- Genome-wide epigenetic modifications, including DNA methylation and histone alterations, are prevalent in the brain in addiction.
- These modifications are linked to changes in gene expression relevant to substance use disorders.
- Findings span various drugs of abuse, including psychostimulants, alcohol, opiates, nicotine, and cannabinoids.
Conclusions:
- Neuroepigenetic mechanisms are crucial for understanding the persistent effects of drugs and vulnerability to relapse in addiction.
- Epigenomic studies provide insights into chromatin structure and gene regulation in the context of SUDs.
- Potential for transgenerational inheritance of epigenetic changes warrants further investigation.
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