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Epigenetics of Drug Addiction
Andrew F Stewart1, Sasha L Fulton1, Ian Maze1,2
1Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029, USA.
Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in Medicine
|June 10, 2020
Summary
Epigenetic mechanisms drive brain plasticity in substance use disorders (SUDs), leading to persistent changes and addiction. Understanding these neuroepigenetic changes is key to developing effective SUD treatments.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Genetics
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Substance use disorders (SUDs) are chronic brain diseases involving compulsive drug use and persistent craving.
- Addiction involves brain plasticity, altering physiology to create addicted states.
- Epigenetic phenomena regulate gene expression in response to environmental stimuli.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce basic epigenetic concepts and investigation methods.
- To examine the role of neuroepigenetic plasticity in SUDs.
- To focus on cocaine-induced epigenetic changes in addiction models.
Main Methods:
- Review of epigenetic mechanisms: chromatin architecture, histone modifications, DNA methylation, noncoding RNAs, transcription factors.
- Examination of neuroepigenetic plasticity in behavioral models of addiction.
- Focus on cocaine-mediated effects.
Main Results:
- Epigenetic mechanisms provide a framework for addiction-related brain plasticity.
- These mechanisms explain how addiction states arise and persist.
- Cocaine exposure induces specific neuroepigenetic alterations.
Conclusions:
- Epigenetic regulation is central to the development and persistence of SUDs.
- Neuroepigenetic plasticity underlies the transition to compulsive drug use and craving.
- Further research into epigenetic mechanisms can inform SUD treatment strategies.
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