Neuroepigenetics and addictive behaviors: Where do we stand?

Abstract

Substance use disorders involve long-term changes in the brain that lead to compulsive drug seeking, craving, and a high probability of relapse. Recent findings have highlighted the role of epigenetic regulations in controlling chromatin access and regulation of gene expression following exposure to drugs of abuse. In the present review, we focus on data investigating genome-wide epigenetic modifications in the brain of addicted patients or in rodent models exposed to drugs of abuse, with a particular focus on DNA methylation and histone modifications associated with transcriptional studies. We highlight critical factors for epigenomic studies in addiction. We discuss new findings related to psychostimulants, alcohol, opiate, nicotine and cannabinoids. We examine the possible transmission of these changes across generations. We highlight developing tools, specifically those that allow investigation of structural reorganization of the chromatin. These have the potential to increase our understanding of alteration of chromatin architecture at gene regulatory regions.

Detection and Quantification of Multiple RNA Sequences Using Emerging Ultrasensitive Fluorescent In Situ Hybridization Techniques

“…Expression of non-coding RNAs can also be analyzed by ISH (Tan & Yang, 2018). In recent years numerous advancements in high throughput RNA sequencing from tissues and even from single cells has led to the identification of numerous neuronal subtypes, usually categorized by the neurotransmitter they synthesize, and a better understanding of the dynamic changes in transcriptomes during development and in disease (De Sa Nogueira, Merienne, & Befort, 2018;Guillaumet-Adkins et al, 2017;Johnson & Walsh, 2017). These methods are extremely powerful for rapidly identifying biomarkers and differentially expressed genes.…”

Dopamine Receptor DRD2 Gene rs1076560, Personality Traits and Anxiety in the Polysubstance Use Disorder

“…Dependence is a result of complex interaction of genetic, epigenetic, and environmental factors. It is observed among predisposed individuals as an effect of their repetitive exposure to addictive chemicals and involves behavioral changes [2,3].…”

Biochemical and Behavioral Characterization of IN14, a New Inhibitor of HDACs with Antidepressant-Like Properties

“…Epigenetic mechanisms involving chromatin-modifying enzymes have been implicated in the pathophysiology of mental and neurodegenerative diseases such as depression, anxiety and cognitive deficits [1][2][3][4][5], as well as in the therapeutic mechanisms of some antidepressants [6][7][8][9][10][11][12]. Amongst epigenetic mechanisms, histone acetylation-the addition of an acetyl group in the N-terminal lysine residues in the nucleosomal core of histone proteins [13,14]-has been highly implicated in neuroplasticity [15]. Histone acetylation is associated with the opening of chromatin structure that facilitates the binding of transcription activating protein complexes that modulate gene expression [16], while deacetylation leads to a transcriptionally inactive chromatin state [17,18].…”