Epigenetically modified nucleotides in chronic heroin and cocaine treated mice

DNA Methylation, Substance Use and Addiction: a Systematic Review of Recent Animal and Human Research from a Developmental Perspective

“…No associations with global methylation were reported in the corpus callosum of cocaine-exposed rats after 1 or 30 days of forced abstinence [29], as well as cocaine or heroin-exposed mice [30]-although a specific reduction in hydroxymethylation in the liver following cocaine administration was reported within the same sample [31]. Drug-and tissue-specific effects were also identified in the study by Tian et al [32] where global DNAm reductions were evident in the prefrontal cortex (but not in the nucleus accumbens) of mice exposed to cocaine (not heroin)-an effect that was reversible through repeated administration of methionine.…”

Dynamic Expression Changes in the Transcriptome of the Prefrontal Cortex after Repeated Exposure to Cocaine in Mice

“…The VTA-NAc circuit is the most intensively studied region as it is thought to play an important role in the initial rewarding effects of cocaine (Chao and Nestler, 2004), while the roles of the PFC, an area critical for cognition and executive functions, are less understood. It is suggested that the PFC contributes to both the primary reinforcing effects of cocaine and long-term sensitization to cocaine (Chao et al, 2014). PFC-dependent functions, such as executive function, explicit learning, and memory were negatively affected in cocaine abusers and experimental animal models of cocaine treatment (Chao et al, 2014).…”

“…It is suggested that the PFC contributes to both the primary reinforcing effects of cocaine and long-term sensitization to cocaine (Chao et al, 2014). PFC-dependent functions, such as executive function, explicit learning, and memory were negatively affected in cocaine abusers and experimental animal models of cocaine treatment (Chao et al, 2014). …”

“…In addition, change in the expression of most genes induced by exposure to addictive drugs might have a specific spatiotemporal profile. In this case, gene networks rather than individual genes are thought to be altered, and therefore lead to more enduring neuro-adaptations that drive structural plasticity to control additional behaviors (Palanza, 2001; Chao et al, 2014; Itzhak et al, 2014). Whole-genome gene expression profiles may help reveal the complex gene-gene interaction mechanisms of addiction.…”

DNA methylation: an epigenetic watermark of former cocaine self-administration

“…Overall, the aim of this project is to identify changes in DNA methylation that may be associated with the maintenance of cocaine-related memories. While epigenetic remodelling in response to chronic cocaine exposure and cocaine place preference conditioning has been reasonably well documented , Barros et al, 2013, Carouge et al, 2010, Chao et al, 2014, Fragou et al, 2013, Han et al, 2010, Laplant et al, 2010, Nielsen et al, 2012b, Pol Bodetto et al, 2013, Pol Bodetto et al, 2014, Tian et al, 2012, changes in DNA methylation following voluntary cocaine self-administration have not. To identify changes 35 in DNA methylation associated with the maintenance of cocaine-related memories, it is necessary to distinguish those changes that are associated with learned cocaine seeking from those that arise as a result of simple drug exposure.…”