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Ke T, Poquette KE, Amro Gazze SL, Carvelli L. Amphetamine Exposure during Embryogenesis Alters Expression and Function of Tyrosine Hydroxylase and the Vesicular Monoamine Transporter in Adult C. elegans. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:4219. [PMID: 38673805 PMCID: PMC11050232 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25084219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2024] [Revised: 04/01/2024] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Amphetamines (Amph) are psychostimulants broadly used as physical and cognitive enhancers. However, the long-term effects of prenatal exposure to Amph have been poorly investigated. Here, we show that continuous exposure to Amph during early development induces long-lasting changes in histone methylation at the C. elegans tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) homolog cat-2 and the vesicular monoamine transporter (VMAT) homologue cat-1 genes. These Amph-induced histone modifications are correlated with enhanced expression and function of CAT-2/TH and higher levels of dopamine, but decreased expression of CAT-1/VMAT in adult animals. Moreover, while adult animals pre-exposed to Amph do not show obvious behavioral defects, when challenged with Amph they exhibit Amph hypersensitivity, which is associated with a rapid increase in cat-2/TH mRNA. Because C. elegans has helped reveal neuronal and epigenetic mechanisms that are shared among animals as diverse as roundworms and humans, and because of the evolutionary conservation of the dopaminergic response to psychostimulants, data collected in this study could help us to identify the mechanisms through which Amph induces long-lasting physiological and behavioral changes in mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Ke
- Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA (K.E.P.); (S.L.A.G.)
| | - Katie E. Poquette
- Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA (K.E.P.); (S.L.A.G.)
| | - Sophia L. Amro Gazze
- Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA (K.E.P.); (S.L.A.G.)
| | - Lucia Carvelli
- Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA (K.E.P.); (S.L.A.G.)
- Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA
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2
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Fang T, Liu MN, Liu MQ, Tian XY, Zhang XJ, Liu F, Hao W, Wu N, Li H, Li J. A preliminary study on the association of single nucleotide polymorphisms and methylation of dopamine system-related genes with psychotic symptoms in patients with methamphetamine use disorder. Eur J Neurosci 2024; 59:1428-1440. [PMID: 38151046 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.16238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Revised: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/29/2023]
Abstract
Methamphetamine use disorder (MAUD) can substantially jeopardize public security due to its high-risk social psychology and behaviour. Given that the dopamine reward system is intimately correlated with MAUD, we investigated the association of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), as well as methylation status of dopamine receptor type 4 (DRD4), catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) genes, and paranoid and motor-impulsive symptoms in MAUD patients. A total of 189 MAUD patients participated in our study. Peripheral blood samples were used to detect 3 SNPs and 35 CpG units of methylation in the DRD4 gene promoter region and 5 SNPs and 39 CpG units in the COMT gene. MAUD patients with the DRD4 rs1800955 C allele have a lower percentage of paranoid symptoms than those with the rs1800955 TT allele. Individuals with paranoid symptoms exhibited a reduced methylation degree at a particular DRD4 CpG2.3 unit. The interaction of the DRD4 rs1800955 C allele and the reduced DRD4CpG2.3 methylation degree were associated with a lower occurrence of paranoid symptoms. Meanwhile, those with the COMT rs4818 CC allele had lower motor-impulsivity scores in MAUD patients but greater COMT methylation levels in the promoter region and methylation degree at the COMT CpG 51.52 unit. Therefore, based only on the COMT rs4818 CC polymorphism, there was a negative correlation between COMT methylation and motor-impulsive scores. Our preliminary results provide a clue that the combination of SNP genotype and methylation status of the DRD4 and COMT genes serve as biological indicators for the prevalence of relatively high-risk psychotic symptoms in MAUD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Fang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Neuropsychopharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, China
| | - Meng-Nan Liu
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Neuropsychopharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, China
| | - Meng-Qi Liu
- National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, and Department of Psychiatry, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Xiao-Yu Tian
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Neuropsychopharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, China
- Medical School of Chinese PLA, Beijing, China
| | - Xiao-Jie Zhang
- National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, and Department of Psychiatry, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Feng Liu
- Compulsory Detoxification Center of Changsha Public Security Bureau, Changsha, China
| | - Wei Hao
- National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, and Department of Psychiatry, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Ning Wu
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Neuropsychopharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, China
| | - Hong Li
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Neuropsychopharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, China
| | - Jin Li
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Neuropsychopharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, China
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3
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Blum K, Elman I, Bowirrat A, Baron D, Thanos PK, Hanna C, Badgaiyan RD, Gold MS. Futuristic Exploration of Addiction Neuroscience in the Genomic Era. Psychol Res Behav Manag 2023; 16:4989-4991. [PMID: 38094658 PMCID: PMC10717929 DOI: 10.2147/prbm.s439837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth Blum
- Department of Molecular Biology, Adelson School of Medicine, Ariel University, Ariel, Israel
- Division of Addiction Research & Education, Center for Exercise Sports, Mental Health, Western University Health Sciences, Pomona, CA, USA
- Institute of Psychology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
- Department of Psychiatry, Boonshoft School of Medicine, Wright University, Dayton, OH, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Human Integrated Services Unit, University of Vermont Center for Clinical & Translational Science, College of Medicine, Burlington, VT, USA
- Sunder Foundation, Palm Springs, CA, USA
- PEAKLOGIC, LLC., Del Mar, CA, USA
| | - Igor Elman
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard College of Medicine, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Abdalla Bowirrat
- Department of Molecular Biology, Adelson School of Medicine, Ariel University, Ariel, Israel
| | - David Baron
- Department of Molecular Biology, Adelson School of Medicine, Ariel University, Ariel, Israel
| | - Panayotis K Thanos
- Behavioral Neuropharmacology and Neuroimaging Laboratory on Addictions, Clinical Research Institute on Addictions, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biosciences, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Colin Hanna
- Behavioral Neuropharmacology and Neuroimaging Laboratory on Addictions, Clinical Research Institute on Addictions, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biosciences, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Rajendra D Badgaiyan
- Department of Psychiatry, Case Western Reserve University and MetroHealth System, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Mark S Gold
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
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4
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Miao B, Xing X, Bazylianska V, Madden P, Moszczynska A, Zhang B. Methamphetamine-induced region-specific transcriptomic and epigenetic changes in the brain of male rats. Commun Biol 2023; 6:991. [PMID: 37758941 PMCID: PMC10533900 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-05355-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Psychostimulant methamphetamine (METH) is neurotoxic to the brain and, therefore, its misuse leads to neurological and psychiatric disorders. The gene regulatory network (GRN) response to neurotoxic METH binge remains unclear in most brain regions. Here we examined the effects of binge METH on the GRN in the nucleus accumbens, dentate gyrus, Ammon's horn, and subventricular zone in male rats. At 24 h after METH, ~16% of genes displayed altered expression and over a quarter of previously open chromatin regions - parts of the genome where genes are typically active - showed shifts in their accessibility. Intriguingly, most changes were unique to each area studied, and independent regulation between transcriptome and chromatin accessibility was observed. Unexpectedly, METH differentially impacted gene activity and chromatin accessibility within the dentate gyrus and Ammon's horn. Around 70% of the affected chromatin-accessible regions in the rat brain have conserved DNA sequences in the human genome. These regions frequently act as enhancers, ramping up the activity of nearby genes, and contain mutations linked to various neurological conditions. By sketching out the gene regulatory networks associated with binge METH in specific brain regions, our study offers fresh insights into how METH can trigger profound, region-specific molecular shifts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benpeng Miao
- Department of Developmental Biology, Center of Regenerative Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
- Department of Genetics, Center for Genomic Sciences and Systems Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Xiaoyun Xing
- Department of Genetics, Center for Genomic Sciences and Systems Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Viktoriia Bazylianska
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA
| | - Pamela Madden
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Anna Moszczynska
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA.
| | - Bo Zhang
- Department of Developmental Biology, Center of Regenerative Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA.
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Kouter K, Šalamon Arčan I, Videtič Paska A. Epigenetics in psychiatry: Beyond DNA methylation. World J Psychiatry 2023; 13:319-330. [PMID: 37383287 PMCID: PMC10294132 DOI: 10.5498/wjp.v13.i6.319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2022] [Revised: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The global burden of psychopathologies appears to be underestimated, since the global psychiatric disorder burden is exceeding other medical burdens. To be able to address this problem more effectively, we need to better understand the etiology of psychiatric disorders. One of the hallmarks of psychiatric disorders appears to be epigenetic dysregulation. While some epigenetic modifications (such as DNA methylation) are well known and studied, the roles of others have been investigated much less. DNA hydroxymethylation is a rarely studied epigenetic modification, which as well as being an intermediate stage in the DNA demethylation cycle is also an independent steady cell state involved in neurodevelopment and plasticity. In contrast to DNA methylation, DNA hydroxymethylation appears to be related to an increase in gene expression and subsequent protein expression. Although no particular gene or genetic locus can be at this point linked to changes in DNA hydroxymethylation in psychiatric disorders, the epigenetic marks present good potential for biomarker identification because the epigenetic landscape is a result of the interplay between genes and environment, which both influence the development of psychiatric disorders, and because hydoxymethylation changes are particularly enriched in the brain and in synapse-related genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarina Kouter
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana 1000, Slovenia
| | - Iris Šalamon Arčan
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana 1000, Slovenia
| | - Alja Videtič Paska
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana 1000, Slovenia
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Mazzeo F, Meccariello R, Guatteo E. Molecular and Epigenetic Aspects of Opioid Receptors in Drug Addiction and Pain Management in Sport. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24097831. [PMID: 37175536 PMCID: PMC10178540 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24097831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Opioids are substances derived from opium (natural opioids). In its raw state, opium is a gummy latex extracted from Papaver somniferum. The use of opioids and their negative health consequences among people who use drugs have been studied. Today, opioids are still the most commonly used and effective analgesic treatments for severe pain, but their use and abuse causes detrimental side effects for health, including addiction, thus impacting the user's quality of life and causing overdose. The mesocorticolimbic dopaminergic circuitry represents the brain circuit mediating both natural rewards and the rewarding aspects of nearly all drugs of abuse, including opioids. Hence, understanding how opioids affect the function of dopaminergic circuitry may be useful for better knowledge of the process and to develop effective therapeutic strategies in addiction. The aim of this review was to summarize the main features of opioids and opioid receptors and focus on the molecular and upcoming epigenetic mechanisms leading to opioid addiction. Since synthetic opioids can be effective for pain management, their ability to induce addiction in athletes, with the risk of incurring doping, is also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filomena Mazzeo
- Department of Economics, Law, Cybersecurity and Sports Sciences, University of Naples "Parthenope", 80133 Naples, Italy
- Department of Movement Sciences and Wellbeing, University of Naples "Parthenope", 80133 Naples, Italy
| | - Rosaria Meccariello
- Department of Movement Sciences and Wellbeing, University of Naples "Parthenope", 80133 Naples, Italy
| | - Ezia Guatteo
- Department of Movement Sciences and Wellbeing, University of Naples "Parthenope", 80133 Naples, Italy
- IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Via del Fosso di Fiorano 64, 00143 Rome, Italy
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Zhang YX, Zhu YM, Yang XX, Gao FF, Chen J, Yu DY, Gao JQ, Chen ZN, Yang JS, Yan CX, Huo FQ. Phosphorylation of Neurofilament Light Chain in the VLO Is Correlated with Morphine-Induced Behavioral Sensitization in Rats. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24097709. [PMID: 37175416 PMCID: PMC10177919 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24097709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Revised: 04/07/2023] [Accepted: 04/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurofilament light chain (NF-L) plays critical roles in synapses that are relevant to neuropsychiatric diseases. Despite postmortem evidence that NF-L is decreased in opiate abusers, its role and underlying mechanisms remain largely unknown. We found that the microinjection of the histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor Trichostatin A (TSA) into the ventrolateral orbital cortex (VLO) attenuated chronic morphine-induced behavioral sensitization. The microinjection of TSA blocked the chronic morphine-induced decrease of NF-L. However, our chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP)-qPCR results indicated that this effect was not due to the acetylation of histone H3-Lysine 9 and 14 binding to the NF-L promotor. In line with the behavioral phenotype, the microinjection of TSA also blocked the chronic morphine-induced increase of p-ERK/p-CREB/p-NF-L. Finally, we compared chronic and acute morphine-induced behavioral sensitization. We found that although both chronic and acute morphine-induced behavioral sensitization were accompanied by an increase of p-CREB/p-NF-L, TSA exhibited opposing effects on behavioral phenotype and molecular changes at different addiction contexts. Thus, our findings revealed a novel role of NF-L in morphine-induced behavioral sensitization, and therefore provided some correlational evidence of the involvement of NF-L in opiate addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Xiang Zhang
- College of Forensic Medicine, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an 710061, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Drug Addiction Medicine, Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650032, China
| | - Yuan-Mei Zhu
- College of Forensic Medicine, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an 710061, China
| | - Xi-Xi Yang
- College of Forensic Medicine, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an 710061, China
| | - Fei-Fei Gao
- College of Forensic Medicine, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an 710061, China
| | - Jie Chen
- College of Forensic Medicine, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an 710061, China
| | - Dong-Yu Yu
- College of Forensic Medicine, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an 710061, China
| | - Jing-Qi Gao
- College of Forensic Medicine, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an 710061, China
| | - Zhen-Nan Chen
- College of Forensic Medicine, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an 710061, China
| | - Jing-Si Yang
- College of Forensic Medicine, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an 710061, China
| | - Chun-Xia Yan
- College of Forensic Medicine, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an 710061, China
- The Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Diseases, Ministry of Education, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, China
| | - Fu-Quan Huo
- The Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Diseases, Ministry of Education, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, China
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an 710061, China
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Virmani MA. Drug abuse results in metabolic and epigenetic changes in body which may contribute to disease risk: Role of L-carnitine and nutrients. ADVANCES IN DRUG AND ALCOHOL RESEARCH 2023; 3:10901. [PMID: 38389824 PMCID: PMC10880790 DOI: 10.3389/adar.2023.10901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
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9
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Perrine SA, Alsharif WF, Harutyunyan A, Kamal S, Viola NT, Gelovani JG. Low- and high-cocaine intake affects the spatial and temporal dynamics of class IIa HDAC expression-activity in the nucleus accumbens and hippocampus of male rats as measured by [18F]TFAHA PET/CT neuroimaging. ADDICTION NEUROSCIENCE 2022; 4:100046. [PMID: 36540409 PMCID: PMC9762729 DOI: 10.1016/j.addicn.2022.100046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Repeated cocaine alters neuronal function in the nucleus accumbens (NAc), a brain region involved in cocaine taking, and in hippocampus (HC), known for contextual and associative learning. [18F]TFAHA is a histone deacetylase (HDAC) class IIa-specific radiotracer for positron emission tomography (PET)-imaging developed by our group to study epigenetic mechanisms. Here, [18F]TFAHA was used to conduct PET-imaging coupled with computed tomography (CT) of rat brains at baseline and after repeated cocaine intravenous self-administration (cocaine-IVSA) in low-intake versus high-intake cocaine groups. A 3 h-access FR1-schedule of cocaine-IVSA (0.5 mg/kg/infusion) for 12 continuous days was used with male Sprague Dawley rats following jugular vein catheterization. PET/CT neuroimaging with [18F]TFAHA was acquired in a dynamic mode over 40 min post-radiotracer administration at baseline and on day 12 of cocaine-IVSA using a longitudinal, repeated design. This study shows that high-cocaine intake significantly decreases class IIa HDAC expression-activity in NAc, while low-cocaine intake significantly decreases expression-activity in HC in male rats. These findings suggest the individual rats with low-cocaine intake had epigenetic changes in HC, where drug-associative changes occur. Alternatively, individuals with high-cocaine intake had robust epigenetic changes in NAc, where rewared-related behaviors originate. These findings are the first longitudinal data obtained in vivo to implicate class IIa HDACs in the persistent behavioral effects of cocaine. Furthermore, our results are consistent with published research implicating class IIa HDACs in cocaine-induced brain changes and studies suggesting a relationship between an individual's drug-taking behavior and regional pattern of epigenetic changes in the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shane A. Perrine
- Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Wayne State University, 6135 Woodward Avenue, Suite 3119, Detroit, MI, USA
- Research Services, John D. Dingell VAMC, Detroit, MI, USA
| | | | - Arman Harutyunyan
- Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Wayne State University, 6135 Woodward Avenue, Suite 3119, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Swatabdi Kamal
- Biomedical Engineering, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Nerissa T. Viola
- Oncology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
- Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Juri G. Gelovani
- Biomedical Engineering, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
- Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, MI, USA
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Genetic Addiction Risk Severity Assessment Identifies Polymorphic Reward Genes as Antecedents to Reward Deficiency Syndrome (RDS) Hypodopaminergia's Effect on Addictive and Non-Addictive Behaviors in a Nuclear Family. J Pers Med 2022; 12:jpm12111864. [PMID: 36579592 PMCID: PMC9694640 DOI: 10.3390/jpm12111864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
This case series presents the novel genetic addiction risk score (GARS), which shows a high prevalence of polymorphic risk alleles of reward genes in a nuclear family with multiple reward deficiency syndrome (RDS) behavioral issues expressing a hypodopaminergic antecedent. The family consists of a mother, father, son, and daughter. The mother experienced issues with focus, memory, anger, and amotivational syndrome. The father experienced weight issues and depression. The son experienced heavy drinking, along with some drug abuse and anxiety. The daughter experienced depression, lethargy, brain fog, focus issues, and anxiety, among others. A major clinical outcome of the results presented to the family members helped reduce personal guilt and augment potential hope for future healing. Our laboratory's prior research established that carriers of four or more alleles measured by GARS (DRD1-DRD4, DAT1, MOR, GABABR3, COMT, MAOAA, and 5HTLPR) are predictive of the addiction severity index (ASI) for drug abuse, and carriers of seven or more alleles are predictive of severe alcoholism. This generational case series shows the impact that genetic information has on reducing stigma and guilt in a nuclear family struggling with RDS behaviors. The futuristic plan is to introduce an appropriate DNA-guided "pro-dopamine regulator" into the recovery and enhancement of life.
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11
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Sex Differences in Psychostimulant Abuse: Implications for Estrogen Receptors and Histone Deacetylases. Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:genes13050892. [PMID: 35627277 PMCID: PMC9140379 DOI: 10.3390/genes13050892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2022] [Revised: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Substance abuse is a chronic pathological disorder that negatively affects many health and neurological processes. A growing body of literature has revealed gender differences in substance use. Compared to men, women display distinct drug-use phenotypes accompanied by recovery and rehabilitation disparities. These observations have led to the notion that sex-dependent susceptibilities exist along the progression to addiction. Within this scope, neuroadaptations following psychostimulant exposure are thought to be distinct for each sex. This review summarizes clinical findings and animal research reporting sex differences in the subjective and behavioral responses to cocaine, methamphetamine, and nicotine. This discussion is followed by an examination of epigenetic and molecular alterations implicated in the addiction process. Special consideration is given to histone deacetylases and estrogen receptor-mediated gene expression.
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12
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Kaplan G, Xu H, Abreu K, Feng J. DNA Epigenetics in Addiction Susceptibility. Front Genet 2022; 13:806685. [PMID: 35145550 PMCID: PMC8821887 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.806685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2021] [Accepted: 01/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Addiction is a chronically relapsing neuropsychiatric disease that occurs in some, but not all, individuals who use substances of abuse. Relatively little is known about the mechanisms which contribute to individual differences in susceptibility to addiction. Neural gene expression regulation underlies the pathogenesis of addiction, which is mediated by epigenetic mechanisms, such as DNA modifications. A growing body of work has demonstrated distinct DNA epigenetic signatures in brain reward regions that may be associated with addiction susceptibility. Furthermore, factors that influence addiction susceptibility are also known to have a DNA epigenetic basis. In the present review, we discuss the notion that addiction susceptibility has an underlying DNA epigenetic basis. We focus on major phenotypes of addiction susceptibility and review evidence of cell type-specific, time dependent, and sex biased effects of drug use. We highlight the role of DNA epigenetics in these diverse processes and propose its contribution to addiction susceptibility differences. Given the prevalence and lack of effective treatments for addiction, elucidating the DNA epigenetic mechanism of addiction vulnerability may represent an expeditious approach to relieving the addiction disease burden.
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Blackwood CA, Cadet JL. Epigenetic and Genetic Factors Associated With Opioid Use Disorder: Are These Relevant to African American Populations. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:798362. [PMID: 35002733 PMCID: PMC8727544 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.798362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2021] [Accepted: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
In the United States, the number of people suffering from opioid use disorder has skyrocketed in all populations. Nevertheless, observations of racial disparities amongst opioid overdose deaths have recently been described. Opioid use disorder is characterized by compulsive drug consumption followed by periods of withdrawal and recurrent relapses while patients are participating in treatment programs. Similar to other rewarding substances, exposure to opioid drugs is accompanied by epigenetic changes in the brain. In addition, genetic factors that are understudied in some racial groups may also impact the clinical manifestations of opioid use disorder. These studies are important because genetic factors and epigenetic alterations may also influence responses to pharmacological therapeutic approaches. Thus, this mini-review seeks to briefly summarize what is known about the genetic bases of opioid use disorder in African Americans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher A. Blackwood
- Molecular Neuropsychiatry Research Branch, NIH/NIDA Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Jean Lud Cadet
- Molecular Neuropsychiatry Research Branch, NIH/NIDA Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, MD, United States
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Blackwood CA, Cadet JL. The molecular neurobiology and neuropathology of opioid use disorder. CURRENT RESEARCH IN NEUROBIOLOGY 2021; 2. [PMID: 35548327 PMCID: PMC9090195 DOI: 10.1016/j.crneur.2021.100023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The number of people diagnosed with opioid use disorder has skyrocketed as a consequence of the opioid epidemic and the increased prescribing of opioid drugs for chronic pain relief. Opioid use disorder is characterized by loss of control of drug taking, continued drug use in the presence of adverse consequences, and repeated relapses to drug taking even after long periods of abstinence. Patients who suffer from opioid use disorder often present with cognitive deficits that are potentially secondary to structural brain abnormalities that vary according to the chemical composition of the abused opioid. This review details the neurobiological effects of oxycodone, morphine, heroin, methadone, and fentanyl on brain neurocircuitries by presenting the acute and chronic effects of these drugs on the human brain. In addition, we review results of neuroimaging in opioid use disorder patients and/or histological studies from brains of patients who had expired after acute intoxication following long-term use of these drugs. Moreover, we include relevant discussions of the neurobiological mechanisms involved in promoting abnormalities in the brains of opioid-exposed patients. Finally, we discuss how novel strategies could be used to provide pharmacological treatment against opioid use disorder. Brain abnormalities caused by opioid intoxication. Intoxication of opioids leads to defects in brain neurocircuitries. Insight into the molecular mechanisms associated with craving in heroin addicts.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jean Lud Cadet
- Corresponding author.Molecular Neuropsychiatry Research Branch NIH/NIDA Intramural Research Program 251 Bayview Boulevard Baltimore, MD, USA
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