Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 11, 2025

Comprehensive Analysis of Transcription Dynamics from Brain Samples Following Behavioral Experience
Published on: August 26, 2014
Astrocytic transcriptional and epigenetic mechanisms of drug addiction
Leanne M Holt1,2, Eric J Nestler3,4,5
1Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA. leanne.holt@mssm.edu.
Abstract:
Addiction is a leading cause of disease burden worldwide and remains a challenge in current neuroscience research. Drug-induced lasting changes in gene expression are mediated by transcriptional and epigenetic regulation in the brain and are thought to underlie behavioral adaptations. Emerging evidence implicates astrocytes in regulating drug-seeking behaviors and demonstrates robust transcriptional response to several substances of abuse. This review focuses on the astrocytic transcriptional and epigenetic mechanisms of drug action.
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