1
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Blum K, Braverman ER, Gold MS, Dennen CA, Baron D, Thanos PK, Hanna C, Elman I, Gondre-Lewis MC, Ashford JW, Newberg A, Madigan MA, Jafari N, Zeine F, Sunder K, Giordano J, Barh D, Gupta A, Carney P, Bowirrat A, Badgaiyan RD. Addressing cortex dysregulation in youth through brain health check coaching and prophylactic brain development. INNOSC THERANOSTICS & PHARMACOLOGICAL SCIENCES 2024; 7:1472. [PMID: 38766548 PMCID: PMC11100020 DOI: 10.36922/itps.1472] [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: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
The Carter Center has estimated that the addiction crisis in the United States (US), if continues to worsen at the same rate, may cost the country approximately 16 trillion dollars by 2030. In recent years, the well-being of youth has been compromised by not only the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic but also the alarming global opioid crisis, particularly in the US. Each year, deadly opioid drugs claim hundreds of thousands of lives, contributing to an ever-rising death toll. In addition, maternal usage of opioids and other drugs during pregnancy could compromise the neurodevelopment of children. A high rate of DNA polymorphic antecedents compounds the occurrence of epigenetic insults involving methylation of specific essential genes related to normal brain function. These genetic antecedent insults affect healthy DNA and mRNA transcription, leading to a loss of proteins required for normal brain development and function in youth. Myelination in the frontal cortex, a process known to extend until the late 20s, delays the development of proficient executive function and decision-making abilities. Understanding this delay in brain development, along with the presence of potential high-risk antecedent polymorphic variants or alleles and generational epigenetics, provides a clear rationale for embracing the Brain Research Commission's suggestion to mimic fitness programs with an adaptable brain health check (BHC). Implementing the BHC within the educational systems in the US and other countries could serve as an effective initiative for proactive therapies aimed at reducing juvenile mental health problems and eventually criminal activities, addiction, and other behaviors associated with reward deficiency syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth Blum
- Division of Addiction Research and Education, Center for Sports, Exercise and Global Mental Health, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, California, United States of America
- The Kenneth Blum Behavioral and Neurogenetic Institute LLC, Austin, Texas, United States of America
- Faculty of Education and Psychology, Institute of Psychology, Eötvös Loránd University Budapest, Budapest, Hungary
- Department of Molecular Biology and Adelson School of Medicine, Ariel University, Ariel, Israel
- Division of Personalized Medicine, Cross-Cultural Research and Educational Institute, San Clemente, California, United States of America
- Centre for Genomics and Applied Gene Technology, Institute of Integrative Omics and Applied Biotechnology, Purba Medinipur, West Bengal, India
- Division of Personalized Recovery Science, Transplicegen Therapeutics, Llc., Austin, Tx., United of States
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont, United States of America
- Department of Psychiatry, Boonshoft School of Medicine, Wright State University, Dayton, Ohio, United States of America
- Division of Personalized Medicine, Ketamine Clinic of South Florida, Pompano Beach, Florida, United States of America
| | - Eric R. Braverman
- The Kenneth Blum Behavioral and Neurogenetic Institute LLC, Austin, Texas, United States of America
| | - Mark S. Gold
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Catherine A. Dennen
- Department of Family Medicine, Jefferson Health Northeast, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - David Baron
- Division of Addiction Research and Education, Center for Sports, Exercise and Global Mental Health, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, California, United States of America
| | - Panayotis K. Thanos
- Department of Psychology and Behavioral Neuropharmacology and Neuroimaging Laboratory on Addictions, Research Institute on Addictions, University of Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, United States of America
| | - Colin Hanna
- Department of Psychology and Behavioral Neuropharmacology and Neuroimaging Laboratory on Addictions, Research Institute on Addictions, University of Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, United States of America
| | - Igor Elman
- Cambridge Health Alliance, Harvard Medical School, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Marjorie C. Gondre-Lewis
- Department of Anatomy, Howard University School of Medicine, Washington, D.C., United States of America
| | - J. Wesson Ashford
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California, United States of America
| | - Andrew Newberg
- Department of Integrative Medicine and Nutritional Sciences, Thomas Jefferson University and Hospital, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Margaret A. Madigan
- The Kenneth Blum Behavioral and Neurogenetic Institute LLC, Austin, Texas, United States of America
| | - Nicole Jafari
- Division of Personalized Medicine, Cross-Cultural Research and Educational Institute, San Clemente, California, United States of America
- Department of Human Development, California State University at Long Beach, Long Beach, California, United States of America
| | - Foojan Zeine
- Department of Human Development, California State University at Long Beach, Long Beach, California, United States of America
- Awareness Integration Institute, San Clemente, California, United States of America
| | - Keerthy Sunder
- Department of Health Science, California State University at Long Beach, Long Beach, California, United States of America
- Department of Psychiatry, University California, UC Riverside School of Medicine, Riverside, California, United States of America
| | - John Giordano
- Division of Personalized Medicine, Ketamine Clinic of South Florida, Pompano Beach, Florida, United States of America
| | - Debmayla Barh
- Centre for Genomics and Applied Gene Technology, Institute of Integrative Omics and Applied Biotechnology, Purba Medinipur, West Bengal, India
| | - Ashim Gupta
- Future Biologics, Lawrenceville, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Paul Carney
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, University of Missouri Health Care-Columbia, Columbia, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Abdalla Bowirrat
- Department of Molecular Biology and Adelson School of Medicine, Ariel University, Ariel, Israel
| | - Rajendra D. Badgaiyan
- Department of Psychiatry, Mt. Sinai School of Medicine, New York City, New York, United States of America
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Blum K, Bowirrat A, Baron D, Elman I, Makale MT, Cadet JL, Thanos PK, Hanna C, Ahmed R, Gondre-Lewis MC, Dennen CA, Braverman ER, Soni D, Carney P, Khalsa J, Modestino EJ, Barh D, Bagchi D, Badgaiyan RD, McLaughlin T, Cortese R, Ceccanti M, Murphy KT, Gupta A, Makale MT, Sunder K, Gold MS. Identification of stress-induced epigenetic methylation onto dopamine D2 gene and neurological and behavioral consequences. GENE & PROTEIN IN DISEASE 2024; 3:10.36922/gpd.1966. [PMID: 38766604 PMCID: PMC11100097 DOI: 10.36922/gpd.1966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
The D2 dopamine receptor (DRD2) gene has garnered substantial attention as one of the most extensively studied genes across various neuropsychiatric disorders. Since its initial association with severe alcoholism in 1990, particularly through the identification of the DRD2 Taq A1 allele, numerous international investigations have been conducted to elucidate its role in different conditions. As of February 22, 2024, there are 5485 articles focusing on the DRD2 gene listed in PUBMED. There have been 120 meta-analyses with mixed results. In our opinion, the primary cause of negative reports regarding the association of various DRD2 gene polymorphisms is the inadequate screening of controls, not adequately eliminating many hidden reward deficiency syndrome behaviors. Moreover, pleiotropic effects of DRD2 variants have been identified in neuropsychologic, neurophysiologic, stress response, social stress defeat, maternal deprivation, and gambling disorder, with epigenetic DNA methylation and histone post-translational negative methylation identified as discussed in this article. There are 70 articles listed in PUBMED for DNA methylation and 20 articles listed for histone methylation as of October 19, 2022. For this commentary, we did not denote DNA and/or histone methylation; instead, we provided a brief summary based on behavioral effects. Based on the fact that Blum and Noble characterized the DRD2 Taq A1 allele as a generalized reward gene and not necessarily specific alcoholism, it now behooves the field to find ways to either use effector moieties to edit the neuroepigenetic insults or possibly harness the idea of potentially removing negative mRNA-reduced expression by inducing "dopamine homeostasis."
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth Blum
- Department of Molecular Biology, Adelson School of Medicine, Ariel University, Ariel, Israel
- Division of Addiction Research & Education, Center for Sports, Exercise & Mental Health, Western University of the Health Sciences, Pomona, CA, United States of America
- Institute of Psychology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, United States of America
- Department of Psychiatry, Wright University Boonshoft School of Medicine, Dayton, OH, United States of America
- Division of Nutrigenomics, The Kenneth Blum Behavioral Neurogenetic Institute, Austin, TX United States of America
- Centre for Genomics and Applied Gene Technology, Institute of Integrative Omics and Applied Biotechnology, Nonakuri, Purba Medinipur, West Bengal, India
- Department of Nutrigenomic Research, Victory Nutrition International, Inc., Bonita Springs, FL, United States of America
- Division of Personalized Neuromodulation Research, Sunder Foundation, Palm Springs, CA, United States of America
| | - Abdalla Bowirrat
- Department of Molecular Biology, Adelson School of Medicine, Ariel University, Ariel, Israel
| | - David Baron
- Division of Addiction Research & Education, Center for Sports, Exercise & Mental Health, Western University of the Health Sciences, Pomona, CA, United States of America
| | - Igor Elman
- Division of Personalized Neuromodulation Research, Sunder Foundation, Palm Springs, CA, United States of America
- Cambridge Health Alliance, Harvard Medical School, Cambridge, MA, United States of America
| | - Milan T. Makale
- Department of Radiation Medicine and Applied Sciences, UC San Diego, 3855 Health Sciences Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093-0819, United States of America
| | - Jean Lud Cadet
- Molecular Neuropsychiatry Research Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD., United States of America
| | - 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, United States of America; Department of Psychology, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY., United States of America
| | - 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, United States of America; Department of Psychology, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY., United States of America
| | - Rania Ahmed
- 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, United States of America; Department of Psychology, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY., United States of America
| | - Marjorie C. Gondre-Lewis
- Department of Anatomy, Howard University College of Medicine, and Developmental Neuropsychopharmacology Laboratory, Howard University College of Medicine, Washington D.C., United States of America
| | - Catherine A. Dennen
- Department of Family Medicine, Jefferson Health Northeast, Philadelphia, PA, United States of America
| | - Eric R. Braverman
- Division of Nutrigenomics, The Kenneth Blum Behavioral Neurogenetic Institute, Austin, TX United States of America
| | - Diwanshu Soni
- Division of Addiction Research & Education, Center for Sports, Exercise & Mental Health, Western University of the Health Sciences, Pomona, CA, United States of America
| | - Paul Carney
- Division Pediatric Neurology, University of Missouri, School of Medicine, Columbia, MO., United States of America
| | - Jag Khalsa
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Tropical Medicine, George Washington University, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC, United States of America
| | - Edward J. Modestino
- Department of Psychology, Curry College, Milton, MA., United States of America
| | - Debmalya Barh
- Centre for Genomics and Applied Gene Technology, Institute of Integrative Omics and Applied Biotechnology, Nonakuri, Purba Medinipur, West Bengal, India
- Departamento de Genética, Ecologia e Evolução, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Debasis Bagchi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Texas Southern University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Houston, TX, United States of America
| | - Rajendra D. Badgaiyan
- Department of Psychiatry, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland OH., 44106, USA and Department of Psychiatry, Mt. Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Thomas McLaughlin
- Division of Nutrigenomics, The Kenneth Blum Behavioral Neurogenetic Institute, Austin, TX United States of America
| | - Rene Cortese
- Department of Child Health – Child Health Research Institute, & Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women’s Health School of Medicine, University of Missouri, MO, United States of America
| | - Mauro Ceccanti
- Alcohol Addiction Program, Latium Region Referral Center, Sapienza University of Rome, Roma, Italy
| | - Kevin T. Murphy
- Division of Personalized Neuromodulation and Patient Care, PeakLogic, LLC, Del Mar, CA, United States of America
| | - Ashim Gupta
- Future Biologics, Lawrenceville, Georgia, 30043, United States of America
| | - Miles T. Makale
- Department of Psychology, UC San Diego, 3855 Health Sciences Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093-0819, United States of America
| | - Keerthy Sunder
- Division of Personalized Neuromodulation Research, Sunder Foundation, Palm Springs, CA, United States of America
- Department of Psychiatry, UC Riverside School of Medicine, Riverside, CA, United States of America
| | - Mark S. Gold
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States of America
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Blum K, Ashford JW, Kateb B, Sipple D, Braverman E, Dennen CA, Baron D, Badgaiyan R, Elman I, Cadet JL, Thanos PK, Hanna C, Bowirrat A, Modestino EJ, Yamamoto V, Gupta A, McLaughlin T, Makale M, Gold MS. Dopaminergic dysfunction: Role for genetic & epigenetic testing in the new psychiatry. J Neurol Sci 2023; 453:120809. [PMID: 37774561 DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2023.120809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2021] [Revised: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/01/2023]
Abstract
Reward Deficiency Syndrome (RDS), particularly linked to addictive disorders, costs billions of dollars globally and has resulted in over one million deaths in the United States (US). Illicit substance use has been steadily rising and in 2021 approximately 21.9% (61.2 million) of individuals living in the US aged 12 or older had used illicit drugs in the past year. However, only 1.5% (4.1 million) of these individuals had received any substance use treatment. This increase in use and failure to adequately treat or provide treatment to these individuals resulted in 106,699 overdose deaths in 2021 and increased in 2022. This article presents an alternative non-pharmaceutical treatment approach tied to gene-guided therapy, the subject of many decades of research. The cornerstone of this paradigm shift is the brain reward circuitry, brain stem physiology, and neurotransmitter deficits due to the effects of genetic and epigenetic insults on the interrelated cascade of neurotransmission and the net release of dopamine at the Ventral Tegmental Area -Nucleus Accumbens (VTA-NAc) reward site. The Genetic Addiction Risk Severity (GARS) test and pro-dopamine regulator nutraceutical KB220 were combined to induce "dopamine homeostasis" across the brain reward circuitry. This article aims to encourage four future actionable items: 1) the neurophysiologically accurate designation of, for example, "Hyperdopameism /Hyperdopameism" to replace the blaming nomenclature like alcoholism; 2) encouraging continued research into the nature of dysfunctional brainstem neurotransmitters across the brain reward circuitry; 3) early identification of people at risk for all RDS behaviors as a brain check (cognitive testing); 4) induction of dopamine homeostasis using "precision behavioral management" along with the coupling of GARS and precision Kb220 variants; 5) utilization of promising potential treatments include neuromodulating modalities such as Transmagnetic stimulation (TMS) and Deep Brain Stimulation(DBS), which target different areas of the neural circuitry involved in addiction and even neuroimmune agents like N-acetyl-cysteine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth Blum
- Division of Addiction Research & Education, Center for Exercise, Sports and Mental Health, Western University Health Sciences, Pomona, CA, USA; The Kenneth Blum Behavioral & Neurogenetic Institute, LLC., Austin, TX, USA; Department of Molecular Biology and Adelson School of Medicine, Ariel University, Ariel, Israel.
| | - J Wesson Ashford
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, USA; War Related Illness & Injury Study Center, VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Babak Kateb
- Brain Mapping Foundation, Los Angeles, CA, USA; National Center for Nanobioelectronic, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Brain Technology and Innovation Park, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | | | - Eric Braverman
- The Kenneth Blum Behavioral & Neurogenetic Institute, LLC., Austin, TX, USA
| | - Catherine A Dennen
- Department of Family Medicine, Jefferson Health Northeast, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - David Baron
- Division of Addiction Research & Education, Center for Exercise, Sports and Mental Health, Western University Health Sciences, Pomona, CA, USA
| | - Rajendra Badgaiyan
- Department of Psychiatry, South Texas Veteran Health Care System, Audie L. Murphy Memorial VA Hospital, San Antonio, TX, USA; Long School of Medicine, University of Texas Medical Center, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Igor Elman
- Center for Pain and the Brain (PAIN Group), Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care & Pain Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Waltham, MA, USA; Cambridge Health Alliance, Harvard Medical School, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Jean Lud Cadet
- Molecular Neuropsychiatry Research Branch, NIH National Institute on Drug Abuse, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Panayotis K Thanos
- Department of Psychology & Behavioral Neuropharmacology and Neuroimaging Laboratory on Addictions (BNNLA), Clinical Research Institute on Addictions, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Colin Hanna
- Department of Psychology & Behavioral Neuropharmacology and Neuroimaging Laboratory on Addictions (BNNLA), Clinical Research Institute on Addictions, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Abdalla Bowirrat
- Department of Molecular Biology and Adelson School of Medicine, Ariel University, Ariel, Israel
| | | | - Vicky Yamamoto
- Brain Mapping Foundation, Los Angeles, CA, USA; National Center for Nanobioelectronic, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Brain Technology and Innovation Park, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Society for Brain Mapping and Therapeutics, Los Angeles, CA, USA; USC-Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | | | - Thomas McLaughlin
- Division of Reward Deficiency Research, Reward Deficiency Syndrome Clinics of America, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Mlan Makale
- Department of Radiation Medicine and Applied Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Mark S Gold
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington College of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
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Wieting J, Jahn K, Eberlein CK, Bleich S, Frieling H, Deest M. Hypomethylation of the dopamine transporter (DAT) gene promoter is associated with hyperphagia-related behavior in Prader-Willi syndrome: a case-control study. Behav Brain Res 2023; 450:114494. [PMID: 37182741 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2023.114494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Revised: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS), a neurodevelopmental disorder based on the loss of paternally derived but maternally imprinted genes on chromosome 15q11-13, is typically associated with hyperphagia-related behavior leading to massive obesity. Recently, there has been increasing evidence for dysregulated expression patterns of genes outside the PWS locus that influence the behavioral phenotype and for alterations in the dopaminergic system associated with weight regulation in PWS. In this study, we investigated the epigenetic regulation of the promoter regions of the dopamine transporter (DAT) and dopamine receptor D2 (DRD2) genes and their association with hyperphagia-related behavior in PWS. Methylation of the DAT and DRD2 promoter regions was examined by DNA bisulfite sequencing in 32 individuals with PWS and compared with a control group matched for sex, age, and body mass index (BMI). Hyperphagia-related behavior was assessed using the Hyperphagia Questionnaire for Clinical Trials (HQ-CT). Analysis by linear mixed models revealed a significant effect of factor group on mean DAT promoter methylation rate with decreased mean methylation in PWS (7.3 ± 0.4%) compared to controls (18.8 ± 0.6%), p < 0.001. In the PWS group, we further identified effects of HQ-CT score and BMI on DAT promoter methylation. Although also statistically significantly different (8.4 ± 0.2 in PWS, 10.5 ± 0.3 in controls, p < 0.001), DRD2 promoter methylation visually appeared to be evenly distributed between groups, raising concerns regarding a biological effect. Here, we provide evidence for altered epigenetic regulation of the DAT gene in PWS, which is associated with PWS-typical hyperphagia-related behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jelte Wieting
- Hannover Medical School, Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany.
| | - Kirsten Jahn
- Hannover Medical School, Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Christian K Eberlein
- Hannover Medical School, Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Stefan Bleich
- Hannover Medical School, Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Helge Frieling
- Hannover Medical School, Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Maximilian Deest
- Hannover Medical School, Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany
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Arfmann W, Achenbach J, Meyer-Bockenkamp F, Proskynitopoulos PJ, Groh A, Muschler MAN, Glahn A, Hagemeier L, Preuss V, Klintschar M, Frieling H, Rhein M. Comparing DRD2 Promoter Methylation Between Blood and Brain in Alcohol Dependence. Alcohol Alcohol 2023; 58:216-223. [PMID: 36747480 DOI: 10.1093/alcalc/agad005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2022] [Revised: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
AIMS The dopamine receptor D2 (DRD2) is substantially involved in several forms of addiction. In addition to genetic polymorphisms, epigenetic mechanisms have emerged as an important means of regulation. Previously, DRD2 hypo- and hyper-methylation have been observed in alcohol use disorder (AUD). Blood samples are commonly used as a surrogate marker of epigenetic alterations in epigenetic research, but few specific comparisons between blood and brain tissue samples in AUD exist. METHODS We used post-mortem brain tissue samples of 17 deceased patients with AUD and 31 deceased controls to investigate the relationship between blood and brain methylation of the DRD2 promoter. RESULTS When investigating individual cytosine methylation sites (CpG), several significant differences were found in the nucleus accumbens and hippocampus in the study population. Investigating binding sites with significant differences in methylation levels revealed hypomethylated CpGs targeting mainly activating transcription factors. CONCLUSION These findings support an altered transcription of the DRD2 gene in AUD specimens with a consecutively changed reward response in the brain. While methylation between specific brain regions and blood is comparable, our study further suggests that blood methylation cannot provide meaningful perspectives on DRD2 promoter methylation in the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wiebke Arfmann
- Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Johannes Achenbach
- Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany
- Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Pain Clinic, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Fiona Meyer-Bockenkamp
- Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Phileas J Proskynitopoulos
- Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Adrian Groh
- Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Marc A N Muschler
- Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Alexander Glahn
- Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Lars Hagemeier
- Institute of Legal Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Vanessa Preuss
- Institute of Legal Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Michael Klintschar
- Institute of Legal Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Helge Frieling
- Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Mathias Rhein
- Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany
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Cruise TM, Kotlo K, Malovic E, Pandey SC. Advances in DNA, histone, and RNA methylation mechanisms in the pathophysiology of alcohol use disorder. ADVANCES IN DRUG AND ALCOHOL RESEARCH 2023; 3:10871. [PMID: 38389820 PMCID: PMC10880780 DOI: 10.3389/adar.2023.10871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) has a complex, multifactorial etiology involving dysregulation across several brain regions and peripheral organs. Acute and chronic alcohol consumption cause epigenetic modifications in these systems, which underlie changes in gene expression and subsequently, the emergence of pathophysiological phenotypes associated with AUD. One such epigenetic mechanism is methylation, which can occur on DNA, histones, and RNA. Methylation relies on one carbon metabolism to generate methyl groups, which can then be transferred to acceptor substrates. While DNA methylation of particular genes generally represses transcription, methylation of histones and RNA can have bidirectional effects on gene expression. This review summarizes one carbon metabolism and the mechanisms behind methylation of DNA, histones, and RNA. We discuss the field's findings regarding alcohol's global and gene-specific effects on methylation in the brain and liver and the resulting phenotypes characteristic of AUD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tara M Cruise
- Center for Alcohol Research in Epigenetics, Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Kumar Kotlo
- Center for Alcohol Research in Epigenetics, Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Emir Malovic
- Center for Alcohol Research in Epigenetics, Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Subhash C Pandey
- Center for Alcohol Research in Epigenetics, Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
- Jesse Brown Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Chicago, IL, United States
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7
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Domi E, Barchiesi R, Barbier E. Epigenetic Dysregulation in Alcohol-Associated Behaviors: Preclinical and Clinical Evidence. Curr Top Behav Neurosci 2023. [PMID: 36717533 DOI: 10.1007/7854_2022_410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is characterized by loss of control over intake and drinking despite harmful consequences. At a molecular level, AUD is associated with long-term neuroadaptations in key brain regions that are involved in reward processing and decision-making. Over the last decades, a great effort has been made to understand the neurobiological basis underlying AUD. Epigenetic mechanisms have emerged as an important mechanism in the regulation of long-term alcohol-induced gene expression changes. Here, we review the literature supporting a role for epigenetic processes in AUD. We particularly focused on the three most studied epigenetic mechanisms: DNA methylation, Histone modification and non-coding RNAs. Clinical studies indicate an association between AUD and DNA methylation both at the gene and global levels. Using behavioral paradigms that mimic some of the characteristics of AUD, preclinical studies demonstrate that changes in epigenetic mechanisms can functionally impact alcohol-associated behaviors. While many studies support a therapeutic potential for targeting epigenetic enzymes, more research is needed to fully understand their role in AUD. Identification of brain circuits underlying alcohol-associated behaviors has made major advances in recent years. However, there are very few studies that investigate how epigenetic mechanisms can affect these circuits or impact the neuronal ensembles that promote alcohol-associated behaviors. Studies that focus on the role of circuit-specific and cell-specific epigenetic changes for clinically relevant alcohol behaviors may provide new insights on the functional role of epigenetic processes in AUD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esi Domi
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Center for Social and Affective Neuroscience, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
- School of Pharmacy, Pharmacology Unit, Center for Neuroscience, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy
| | - Riccardo Barchiesi
- Department of Neuroscience, Waggoner Center for Alcohol and Alcohol Addiction Research, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Estelle Barbier
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Center for Social and Affective Neuroscience, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden.
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8
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Urban MM, Stingl MR, Meinhardt MW. Mini-review: The neurobiology of treating substance use disorders with classical psychedelics. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1156319. [PMID: 37139521 PMCID: PMC10149865 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1156319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 05/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The potential of psychedelics to persistently treat substance use disorders is known since the 1960s. However, the biological mechanisms responsible for their therapeutic effects have not yet been fully elucidated. While it is known that serotonergic hallucinogens induce changes in gene expression and neuroplasticity, particularly in prefrontal regions, theories on how specifically this counteracts the alterations that occur in neuronal circuitry throughout the course of addiction are largely unknown. This narrative mini-review endeavors to synthesize well-established knowledge from addiction research with findings and theories regarding the neurobiological effects of psychedelics to give an overview of the potential mechanisms that underlie the treatment of substance use disorders with classical hallucinogenic compounds and point out gaps in the current understanding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marvin M. Urban
- Interdisciplinary Center for Neurosciences, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, United States
- *Correspondence: Marvin M. Urban,
| | - Moritz R. Stingl
- Interdisciplinary Center for Neurosciences, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Marcus W. Meinhardt
- Institute of Psychopharmacology, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
- Department of Molecular Neuroimaging, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
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9
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Ceccanti M, Blum K, Bowirrat A, Dennen CA, Braverman ER, Baron D, Mclaughlin T, Giordano J, Gupta A, Downs BW, Bagchi D, Barh D, Elman I, Thanos PK, Badgaiyan RD, Edwards D, Gold MS. Future Newborns with Opioid-Induced Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) Could Be Assessed with the Genetic Addiction Risk Severity (GARS) Test and Potentially Treated Using Precision Amino-Acid Enkephalinase Inhibition Therapy (KB220) as a Frontline Modality Instead of Potent Opioids. J Pers Med 2022; 12:jpm12122015. [PMID: 36556236 PMCID: PMC9782293 DOI: 10.3390/jpm12122015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2022] [Revised: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
In this nonsystematic review and opinion, including articles primarily selected from PubMed, we examine the pharmacological and nonpharmacological treatments of neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) in order to craft a reasonable opinion to help forge a paradigm shift in the treatment and prevention of primarily opioid-induced NAS. Newborns of individuals who use illicit and licit substances during pregnancy are at risk for withdrawal, also known as NAS. In the US, the reported prevalence of NAS has increased from 4.0 per 1000 hospital births in 2010 to 7.3 per 1000 hospital births in 2017, which is an 82% increase. The management of NAS is varied and involves a combination of nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic therapy. The preferred first-line pharmacological treatment for NAS is opioid therapy, specifically morphine, and the goal is the short-term improvement in NAS symptomatology. Nonpharmacological therapies are individualized and typically focus on general care measures, the newborn-parent/caregiver relationship, the environment, and feeding. When used appropriately, nonpharmacologic therapies can help newborns with NAS avoid or reduce the amount of pharmacologic therapy required and the length of hospitalization. In addition, genetic polymorphisms of the catechol-o-methyltransferase (COMT) and mu-opioid receptor (OPRM1) genes appear to affect the length of stay and the need for pharmacotherapy in newborns with prenatal opioid exposure. Therefore, based on this extensive literature and additional research, this team of coauthors suggests that, in the future, in addition to the current nonpharmacological therapies, patients with opioid-induced NAS should undergo genetic assessment (i.e., the genetic addiction risk severity (GARS) test), which can subsequently be used to guide DNA-directed precision amino-acid enkephalinase inhibition (KB220) therapy as a frontline modality instead of potent opioids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mauro Ceccanti
- Società Italiana per il Trattamento dell’Alcolismo e le sue Complicanze (SITAC), ASL Roma1, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Kenneth Blum
- The Kenneth Blum Behavioral & Neurogenetic Institute, Austin, TX 78701, USA
- Division of Addiction Research & Education, Center for Mental Health & Sports, Exercise and Global Mental Health, Western University Health Sciences, Pomona, CA 91766, USA
- Institute of Psychology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Egyetem tér 1-3, H-1053 Budapest, Hungary
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine and Dayton VA Medical Centre, Dayton, OH 45324, USA
- Reward Deficiency Clinics of America, Austin, TX 78701, USA
- Center for Genomics and Applied Gene Technology, Institute of Integrative Omics and applied Biotechnology (IIOAB), Nonakuri, Purba Medinipur, West Bengal 721172, India
- Department of Precision Behavioral Management, Transplicegen Therapeutics, Inc., LLC., Austin, TX 78701, USA
- Department of Molecular Biology and Adelson School of Medicine, Ariel University, Ariel 40700, Israel
- Correspondence: (K.B.); (A.G.)
| | - Abdalla Bowirrat
- Department of Molecular Biology and Adelson School of Medicine, Ariel University, Ariel 40700, Israel
| | - Catherine A. Dennen
- Department of Family Medicine, Jefferson Health Northeast, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
| | - Eric R. Braverman
- The Kenneth Blum Behavioral & Neurogenetic Institute, Austin, TX 78701, USA
| | - David Baron
- Division of Addiction Research & Education, Center for Mental Health & Sports, Exercise and Global Mental Health, Western University Health Sciences, Pomona, CA 91766, USA
| | | | - John Giordano
- The Kenneth Blum Behavioral & Neurogenetic Institute, Austin, TX 78701, USA
- Ketamine Infusion Clinic of South Florida, Pompano Beach, FL 33062, USA
| | - Ashim Gupta
- Future Biologics, Lawrenceville, GA 30043, USA
- Correspondence: (K.B.); (A.G.)
| | - Bernard W. Downs
- The Kenneth Blum Behavioral & Neurogenetic Institute, Austin, TX 78701, USA
| | - Debasis Bagchi
- The Kenneth Blum Behavioral & Neurogenetic Institute, Austin, TX 78701, USA
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern University College of Pharmacy, Houston, TX 77004, USA
| | - Debmalya Barh
- Center for Genomics and Applied Gene Technology, Institute of Integrative Omics and applied Biotechnology (IIOAB), Nonakuri, Purba Medinipur, West Bengal 721172, India
- Department of Genetics, Ecology and Evolution, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Igor Elman
- Center for Pain and the Brain (PAIN Group), Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care & Pain Medicine, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Panayotis K. Thanos
- Behavioral Neuropharmacology and Neuroimaging Laboratory, Clinical Research Institute on Addictions, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
| | - Rajendra D. Badgaiyan
- Department of Psychiatry, South Texas Veteran Health Care System, Audie L. Murphy Memorial VA Hospital, Long School of Medicine, University of Texas Medical Center, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Drew Edwards
- Neurogenesis Project, Jacksonville, FL 32223, USA
| | - Mark S. Gold
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
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10
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Mental health and the effects on methylation of stress-related genes in front-line versus other health care professionals during the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic: an Italian pilot study. Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 2022; 273:347-356. [PMID: 36001138 PMCID: PMC9399986 DOI: 10.1007/s00406-022-01472-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Healthcare workers experienced high degree of stress during COVID-19. Purpose of the present article is to compare mental health (depressive and Post-Traumatic-Stress-Disorders-PTSD-symptoms) and epigenetics aspects (degree of methylation of stress-related genes) in front-line healthcare professionals versus healthcare working in non-COVID-19 wards. Sixty-eight healthcare workers were included in the study: 39 were working in COVID-19 wards (cases) and 29 in non-COVID wards (controls). From all participants, demographic and clinical information were collected by an ad-hoc questionnaire. Depressive and PTSD symptoms were evaluated by the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R), respectively. Methylation analyses of 9 promoter/regulatory regions of genes known to be implicated in depression/PTSD (ADCYAP1, BDNF, CRHR1, DRD2, IGF2, LSD1/KDM1A, NR3C1, OXTR, SLC6A4) were performed on DNA from blood samples by the MassARRAY EpiTYPER platform, with MassCleave settings. Controls showed more frequent lifetime history of anxiety/depression with respect to cases (χ2 = 5.72, p = 0.03). On the contrary, cases versus controls presented higher PHQ-9 (t = 2.13, p = 0.04), PHQ-9 sleep item (t = 2.26, p = 0.03), IES-R total (t = 2.17, p = 0.03), IES-R intrusion (t = 2.46, p = 0.02), IES-R avoidance (t = 1.99, p = 0.05) mean total scores. Methylation levels at CRHR1, DRD2 and LSD1 genes was significantly higher in cases with respect to controls (p < 0.01, p = 0.03 and p = 0.03, respectively). Frontline health professionals experienced more negative effects on mental health during COVID-19 pandemic than non-frontline healthcare workers. Methylation levels were increased in genes regulating HPA axis (CRHR1) and dopamine neurotransmission (DRD2 and LSD1), thus supporting the involvement of these biological processes in depression/PTSD and indicating that methylation of these genes can be modulated by stress conditions, such as working as healthcare front-line during COVID-19 pandemic.
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11
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White O, Roeder N, Blum K, Eiden RD, Thanos PK. Prenatal Effects of Nicotine on Obesity Risks: A Narrative Review. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19159477. [PMID: 35954830 PMCID: PMC9368674 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19159477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2022] [Revised: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Nicotine usage by mothers throughout pregnancy has been observed to relate to numerous deleterious effects in children, especially relating to obesity. Children who have prenatally been exposed to nicotine tend to have lower birth weights, with an elevated risk of becoming overweight throughout development and into their adolescent and adult life. There are numerous theories as to how this occurs: catch-up growth theory, thrifty phenotype theory, neurotransmitter or endocrine imbalances theory, and a more recent examination on the genetic factors relating to obesity risk. In addition to the negative effect on bodyweight and BMI, individuals with obesity may also suffer from numerous comorbidities involving metabolic disease. These may include type 1 and 2 diabetes, high cholesterol levels, and liver disease. Predisposition for obesity with nicotine usage may also be associated with genetic risk alleles for obesity, such as the DRD2 A1 variant. This is important for prenatally nicotine-exposed individuals as an opportunity to provide early prevention and intervention of obesity-related risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivia White
- Behavioral Neuropharmacology and Neuroimaging Laboratory on Addictions (BNNLA), Clinical Research Institute on Addictions, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA; (O.W.); (N.R.)
- Department of Psychology, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
| | - Nicole Roeder
- Behavioral Neuropharmacology and Neuroimaging Laboratory on Addictions (BNNLA), Clinical Research Institute on Addictions, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA; (O.W.); (N.R.)
- Department of Psychology, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
| | - Kenneth Blum
- Division of Addiction Research, Center for Psychiatry, Medicine & Primary Care (Office of Provost), Western University Health Sciences, Pomona, CA 91766, USA;
| | - Rina D. Eiden
- Department of Psychology, Social Science Research Institute, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16801, USA;
| | - Panayotis K. Thanos
- Behavioral Neuropharmacology and Neuroimaging Laboratory on Addictions (BNNLA), Clinical Research Institute on Addictions, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA; (O.W.); (N.R.)
- Department of Psychology, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-(716)-881-7520
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12
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Zhao J, Gao S, Guo Y, Xu Q, Liu M, Zhang C, Cheng M, Zhao X, Schinckel AP, Zhou B. Functionally Antagonistic Transcription Factors IRF1 and IRF2 Regulate the Transcription of the Dopamine Receptor D2 Gene Associated with Aggressive Behavior of Weaned Pigs. BIOLOGY 2022; 11:biology11010135. [PMID: 35053133 PMCID: PMC8773180 DOI: 10.3390/biology11010135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Revised: 01/08/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Aggressive behavior has negative effects on animal welfare and growth performance in pigs. The dopamine receptor D2 (DRD2) has a critical neuromodulator role in the dopamine signal pathway within the brain to control behavior. A functional single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), rs1110730503, in the promoter region of the porcine DRD2 gene was identified, which affects aggressive behavior in pigs. A chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay was used to identify the interactions between interferon regulatory factor 1 (IRF1) and IRF2 with the DRD2 gene. The overexpression or knockdown of these two transcription factors in porcine kidney-15 (PK15) and porcine neuronal cells (PNCs) indicate that the binding of IRF1 to DRD2 promotes the transcription of the DRD2 gene, but the binding of IRF2 to the DRD2 gene inhibits its transcription. Furthermore, IRF1 and IRF2 are functionally antagonistic to each other. The downregulation of DRD2 or upregulation of IRF2 increased the apoptosis rate of porcine neuroglial cells. Taken together, we found that transcriptional factors IRF1 and IRF2 have vital roles in regulating the transcription of the DRD2 gene, and rs1110730503 (−915A/T) is a functional SNP that influences IRF2 binding to the promoter of the DRD2 gene. These findings will provide further insight towards controlling aggressive behavior in pigs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Zhao
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China; (J.Z.); (S.G.); (Y.G.); (Q.X.); (M.L.); (C.Z.); (M.C.); (X.Z.)
| | - Siyuan Gao
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China; (J.Z.); (S.G.); (Y.G.); (Q.X.); (M.L.); (C.Z.); (M.C.); (X.Z.)
| | - Yanli Guo
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China; (J.Z.); (S.G.); (Y.G.); (Q.X.); (M.L.); (C.Z.); (M.C.); (X.Z.)
| | - Qinglei Xu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China; (J.Z.); (S.G.); (Y.G.); (Q.X.); (M.L.); (C.Z.); (M.C.); (X.Z.)
| | - Mingzheng Liu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China; (J.Z.); (S.G.); (Y.G.); (Q.X.); (M.L.); (C.Z.); (M.C.); (X.Z.)
| | - Chunlei Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China; (J.Z.); (S.G.); (Y.G.); (Q.X.); (M.L.); (C.Z.); (M.C.); (X.Z.)
| | - Meng Cheng
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China; (J.Z.); (S.G.); (Y.G.); (Q.X.); (M.L.); (C.Z.); (M.C.); (X.Z.)
| | - Xianle Zhao
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China; (J.Z.); (S.G.); (Y.G.); (Q.X.); (M.L.); (C.Z.); (M.C.); (X.Z.)
| | - Allan P. Schinckel
- Department of Animal Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907-2054, USA;
| | - Bo Zhou
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China; (J.Z.); (S.G.); (Y.G.); (Q.X.); (M.L.); (C.Z.); (M.C.); (X.Z.)
- Correspondence:
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13
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Agarwal K, Manza P, Leggio L, Livinski AA, Volkow ND, Joseph PV. Sensory cue reactivity: Sensitization in alcohol use disorder and obesity. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2021; 124:326-357. [PMID: 33587959 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.02.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2020] [Revised: 02/03/2021] [Accepted: 02/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Neuroimaging techniques to measure the function of the human brain such as electroencephalography (EEG), positron emission tomography (PET), and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), are powerful tools for understanding the underlying neural circuitry associated with alcohol use disorder (AUD) and obesity. The sensory (visual, taste and smell) paradigms used in neuroimaging studies represent an ideal platform to investigate the connection between the different neural circuits subserving the reward/executive control systems in these disorders, which may offer a translational mechanism for novel intervention predictions. Thus, the current review provides an integrated summary of the recent neuroimaging studies that have applied cue-reactivity paradigms and neuromodulation strategies to explore underlying alterations in neural circuitry as well in treatment strategies in AUD and obesity. Finally, we discuss literature on mechanisms associated with increased alcohol sensitivity post-bariatric surgery (BS) which offers guidance for future research to use sensory percepts in elucidating the relation of reward signaling in AUD development post-BS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khushbu Agarwal
- National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Bethesda, MD, USA; National Institute of Nursing Research, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Peter Manza
- National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Lorenzo Leggio
- National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Bethesda, MD, USA; National Institute on Drug Abuse, Bethesda and Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | - Nora D Volkow
- National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Bethesda, MD, USA; National Institute on Drug Abuse, Bethesda and Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Paule Valery Joseph
- National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Bethesda, MD, USA; National Institute of Nursing Research, Bethesda, MD, USA.
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14
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Dugué PA, Wilson R, Lehne B, Jayasekara H, Wang X, Jung CH, Joo JE, Makalic E, Schmidt DF, Baglietto L, Severi G, Gieger C, Ladwig KH, Peters A, Kooner JS, Southey MC, English DR, Waldenberger M, Chambers JC, Giles GG, Milne RL. Alcohol consumption is associated with widespread changes in blood DNA methylation: Analysis of cross-sectional and longitudinal data. Addict Biol 2021; 26:e12855. [PMID: 31789449 DOI: 10.1111/adb.12855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2018] [Revised: 09/29/2019] [Accepted: 11/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
DNA methylation may be one of the mechanisms by which alcohol consumption is associated with the risk of disease. We conducted a large-scale, cross-sectional, genome-wide DNA methylation association study of alcohol consumption and a longitudinal analysis of repeated measurements taken several years apart. Using the Illumina HumanMethylation450 BeadChip, DNA methylation was measured in blood samples from 5606 Melbourne Collaborative Cohort Study (MCCS) participants. For 1088 of them, these measures were repeated using blood samples collected a median of 11 years later. Associations between alcohol intake and blood DNA methylation were assessed using linear mixed-effects regression models. Independent data from the London Life Sciences Prospective Population (LOLIPOP) (N = 4042) and Cooperative Health Research in the Augsburg Region (KORA) (N = 1662) cohorts were used to replicate associations discovered in the MCCS. Cross-sectional analyses identified 1414 CpGs associated with alcohol intake at P < 10-7 , 1243 of which had not been reported previously. Of these novel associations, 1078 were replicated (P < .05) using LOLIPOP and KORA data. Using the MCCS data, we also replicated 403 of 518 previously reported associations. Interaction analyses suggested that associations were stronger for women, non-smokers, and participants genetically predisposed to consume less alcohol. Of the 1414 CpGs, 530 were differentially methylated (P < .05) in former compared with current drinkers. Longitudinal associations between the change in alcohol intake and the change in methylation were observed for 513 of the 1414 cross-sectional associations. Our study indicates that alcohol intake is associated with widespread changes in DNA methylation across the genome. Longitudinal analyses showed that the methylation status of alcohol-associated CpGs may change with alcohol consumption changes in adulthood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierre-Antoine Dugué
- Cancer Epidemiology Division, Cancer Council Victoria, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Precision Medicine, School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Rory Wilson
- Research Unit of Molecular Epidemiology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Munich, Germany
- Institute of Epidemiology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Munich, Germany
| | - Benjamin Lehne
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Harindra Jayasekara
- Cancer Epidemiology Division, Cancer Council Victoria, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Colorectal Oncogenomics Group, Department of Clinical Pathology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Xiaochuan Wang
- Cancer Epidemiology Division, Cancer Council Victoria, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Chol-Hee Jung
- Melbourne Bioinformatics, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - JiHoon E Joo
- Colorectal Oncogenomics Group, Department of Clinical Pathology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Enes Makalic
- Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Daniel F Schmidt
- Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Laura Baglietto
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Gianluca Severi
- CESP, INSERM U1018, Univ. Paris-Sud, UVSQ, Université Paris-Saclay, Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
| | - Christian Gieger
- Research Unit of Molecular Epidemiology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Munich, Germany
- Institute of Epidemiology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Munich, Germany
| | - Karl-Heinz Ladwig
- Institute of Epidemiology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Munich, Germany
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Psychosomatische Medizin und Psychotherapie des Klinikums Rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Annette Peters
- Research Unit of Molecular Epidemiology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Munich, Germany
- Institute of Epidemiology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Munich, Germany
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Munich Heart Alliance, Munich, Germany
| | - Jaspal S Kooner
- Department of Cardiology, Ealing Hospital, Middlesex, UK
- Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, UK
- MRC-PHE Centre for Environment and Health, Imperial College London, London, UK
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Melissa C Southey
- Cancer Epidemiology Division, Cancer Council Victoria, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Precision Medicine, School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
- Genetic Epidemiology Laboratory, Department of Clinical Pathology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Dallas R English
- Cancer Epidemiology Division, Cancer Council Victoria, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Melanie Waldenberger
- Research Unit of Molecular Epidemiology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Munich, Germany
- Institute of Epidemiology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Munich, Germany
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Munich Heart Alliance, Munich, Germany
| | - John C Chambers
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Imperial College London, London, UK
- Department of Cardiology, Ealing Hospital, Middlesex, UK
- Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, UK
- MRC-PHE Centre for Environment and Health, Imperial College London, London, UK
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Graham G Giles
- Cancer Epidemiology Division, Cancer Council Victoria, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Precision Medicine, School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Roger L Milne
- Cancer Epidemiology Division, Cancer Council Victoria, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Precision Medicine, School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
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15
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Prospects of Genetics and Epigenetics of Alcohol Use Disorder. CURRENT ADDICTION REPORTS 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s40429-020-00331-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Purpose of Review
In this study, we illustrate recent findings regarding the genetics and epigenetics of alcohol use disorder (AUD). We further outline the future direction of genetic and epigenetic research in AUD.
Recent Findings
Recent genome- and epigenome-wide studies allow new insight into genetic and epigenetic variation associated with AUD. The largest EWAS of AUD so far/to date found evidence for altered glucocorticoid receptor regulation. Longitudinal studies provide insight into the dynamics of the disease. Analyses of postmortem brain tissue reveal the impact of chronic alcohol consumption on DNA methylation in the brain.
Summary
Genetic and environmental factors—mediated via epigenetic mechanisms—play an important role in AUD. Although knowledge of the biological underpinnings of AUD is still limited, ongoing research will ultimately lead to the development of biomarkers for disease classification, course of disease, and treatment response to support personalized medicine in the future.
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16
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Wheater ENW, Stoye DQ, Cox SR, Wardlaw JM, Drake AJ, Bastin ME, Boardman JP. DNA methylation and brain structure and function across the life course: A systematic review. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2020; 113:133-156. [PMID: 32151655 PMCID: PMC7237884 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2020.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2019] [Revised: 03/03/2020] [Accepted: 03/05/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
MRI has enhanced our capacity to understand variations in brain structure and function conferred by the genome. We identified 60 studies that report associations between DNA methylation (DNAm) and human brain structure/function. Forty-three studies measured candidate loci DNAm; seventeen measured epigenome-wide DNAm. MRI features included region-of-interest and whole-brain structural, diffusion and functional imaging features. The studies report DNAm-MRI associations for: neurodevelopment and neurodevelopmental disorders; major depression and suicidality; alcohol use disorder; schizophrenia and psychosis; ageing, stroke, ataxia and neurodegeneration; post-traumatic stress disorder; and socio-emotional processing. Consistency between MRI features and differential DNAm is modest. Sources of bias: variable inclusion of comparator groups; different surrogate tissues used; variation in DNAm measurement methods; lack of control for genotype and cell-type composition; and variations in image processing. Knowledge of MRI features associated with differential DNAm may improve understanding of the role of DNAm in brain health and disease, but caution is required because conventions for linking DNAm and MRI data are not established, and clinical and methodological heterogeneity in existing literature is substantial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily N W Wheater
- Medical Research Council Centre for Reproductive Health, University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - David Q Stoye
- Medical Research Council Centre for Reproductive Health, University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Simon R Cox
- Department of Psychology, University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Joanna M Wardlaw
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Amanda J Drake
- University/British Heart Foundation Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Mark E Bastin
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - James P Boardman
- Medical Research Council Centre for Reproductive Health, University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom; Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom.
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17
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Hagerty SL, YorkWilliams SL, Bidwell LC, Weiland BJ, Sabbineni A, Blaine SK, Bryan AD, Hutchison KE. DRD2 methylation is associated with executive control network connectivity and severity of alcohol problems among a sample of polysubstance users. Addict Biol 2020; 25:e12684. [PMID: 30370960 PMCID: PMC7326368 DOI: 10.1111/adb.12684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2018] [Revised: 09/07/2018] [Accepted: 09/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Chronic exposure to alcohol and other drugs of abuse has been associated with deleterious consequences, including functional connectivity deficits within neural networks associated with executive control. Altered functional connectivity within the executive control network (ECN) might underlie the progressive inability to control consumption of alcohol and other drugs as substance use disorders progress. Genetic and epigenetic factors have been associated with substance use disorders (SUDs). For example, dopamine receptor 2 (DRD2) functioning has been associated with alcohol use disorder (AUD) and related phenotypes, including correlates of executive functioning. The present study aims to explore the relationship between a continuous measure of alcohol-related problems, epigenetic markers (methylation) within the DRD2 gene, and functional connectivity within the ECN among a sample of polysubstance users. A community sample of 658 subjects, whose consumption of alcohol, nicotine, and cannabis span across a spectrum of quantity and frequency of use, were obtained across previous studies in polysubstance using populations. Resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging was analyzed to identify intrinsic connectivity networks using a priori regions of interest. Methylation measurement of functionally relevant sites within the DRD2 gene was achieved via pyrosequencing. Regression-based models, including mediation and moderation models, tested the association between DRD2 methylation, functional connectivity within intrinsic neural networks (including the ECN), and severity of alcohol problems. Results suggest that average DRD2 methylation was negatively associated with right ECN (RECN) and left ECN (LECN) connectivity, but not associated with other networks tested, and DRD2 methylation was significantly associated with alcohol problems severity. Mediation models were not supported, although moderation models suggested that connectivity between edges within the RECN moderated the relationship between DRD2 methylation and AUD severity. Results support a theoretical model in which epigenetic factors are associated with neurobiological correlates of alcohol consumption among a sample of polysubstance users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah L. Hagerty
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado
| | - Sophie L. YorkWilliams
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado
| | - L. Cinnamon Bidwell
- Institute of Cognitive Science, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado
| | - Barbara J. Weiland
- Institute of Cognitive Science, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado
| | - Amithrupa Sabbineni
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado
| | - Sara K. Blaine
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Angela D. Bryan
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado
| | - Kent E. Hutchison
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado
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18
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Thompson A, Cook J, Choquet H, Jorgenson E, Yin J, Kinnunen T, Barclay J, Morris AP, Pirmohamed M. Functional validity, role, and implications of heavy alcohol consumption genetic loci. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2020; 6:eaay5034. [PMID: 31998841 PMCID: PMC6962045 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aay5034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2019] [Accepted: 11/11/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
High alcohol consumption is a risk factor for morbidity and mortality, yet few genetic loci have been robustly associated with alcohol intake. Here, we use U.K. Biobank (n = 125,249) and GERA (n = 47,967) datasets to determine genetic factors associated with extreme population-level alcohol consumption and examine the functional validity of outcomes using model organisms and in silico techniques. We identified six loci attaining genome-wide significant association with alcohol consumption after meta-analysis and meeting our criteria for replication: ADH1B (lead SNP: rs1229984), KLB (rs13130794), BTF3P13 (rs144198753), GCKR (rs1260326), SLC39A8 (rs13107325), and DRD2 (rs11214609). A conserved role in phenotypic responses to alcohol was observed for all genetic targets available for investigation (ADH1B, GCKR, SLC39A8, and KLB) in Caenorhabditis elegans. Evidence of causal links to lung cancer, and shared genetic architecture with gout and hypertension was also found. These findings offer insight into genes, pathways, and relationships for disease risk associated with high alcohol consumption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Thompson
- Wolfson Centre for Personalised Medicine, Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
- MRC Centre for Drug Safety Science, Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
- Liverpool Centre for Alcohol Research University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - James Cook
- Biostatistics, Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Hélène Choquet
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, CA 94612, USA
| | - Eric Jorgenson
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, CA 94612, USA
| | - Jie Yin
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, CA 94612, USA
| | - Tarja Kinnunen
- Department of Biological and Geographical Sciences, School of Applied Sciences, University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield, UK
| | - Jeff Barclay
- Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Andrew P. Morris
- Biostatistics, Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Munir Pirmohamed
- Wolfson Centre for Personalised Medicine, Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
- MRC Centre for Drug Safety Science, Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
- Liverpool Centre for Alcohol Research University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
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19
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Hillemacher T, Rhein M, Burkert A, Heberlein A, Wilhelm J, Glahn A, Muschler MAN, Kahl KG, Kornhuber J, Bleich S, Frieling H. DNA-methylation of the dopamin receptor 2 gene is altered during alcohol withdrawal. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2019; 29:1250-1257. [PMID: 31530416 DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2019.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2018] [Revised: 08/23/2019] [Accepted: 09/03/2019] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
The dopaminergic neurotransmission is known to be of crucial importance in addictive behavior. Epigenetic regulation like methylation of DNA influences the function of dopaminergic transmission. The present study investigated alterations of DNA methylation in the dopamine D2 receptor (DRD2)-gene in patients suffering from alcohol dependence. The study sample consists of 99 alcohol dependent males admitted for alcohol withdrawal treatment and a control group of 33 healthy participants. Blood samples underwent bisulfite sequencing to determine levels of DNA-methylation of the promoter region of the DRD2 gene. Mixed linear modeling was used to test differences between patients and controls, course of methylation during detoxification. While DRD2-gene methylation did not differ significantly between patients and controls, we found a significant increase of DRD2-gene methylation during alcohol withdrawal/early abstinence. Craving, measured with the Obsessive Compulsive Drinking Scale (OCDS), was significantly associated with DRD2-gene methylation. Furthermore, smoking significantly influenced DRD2-gene methylation in both, patients and controls. As in other types of addictive disorders, DRD2-gene methylation is altered during alcohol withdrawal/early abstinence. The findings regarding an association with alcohol craving and tobacco consumption point towards a crucial role of DRD2-gene methylation in the neurobiology of addictive behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Hillemacher
- Center for Addiction Research (CARe), Department of Psychiatry, Socialpsychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School (MHH), Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany; Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Paracelsus Medical University Nuremberg, Germany
| | - Mathias Rhein
- Center for Addiction Research (CARe), Department of Psychiatry, Socialpsychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School (MHH), Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany; Molecular Neurosciences Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, Socialpsychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School, Germany
| | - Alexandra Burkert
- Molecular Neurosciences Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, Socialpsychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School, Germany
| | - Annemarie Heberlein
- Center for Addiction Research (CARe), Department of Psychiatry, Socialpsychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School (MHH), Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Julia Wilhelm
- Center for Addiction Research (CARe), Department of Psychiatry, Socialpsychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School (MHH), Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Alexander Glahn
- Center for Addiction Research (CARe), Department of Psychiatry, Socialpsychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School (MHH), Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Marc Andre Nicolas Muschler
- Center for Addiction Research (CARe), Department of Psychiatry, Socialpsychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School (MHH), Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany; Molecular Neurosciences Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, Socialpsychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School, Germany
| | - Kai G Kahl
- Center for Addiction Research (CARe), Department of Psychiatry, Socialpsychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School (MHH), Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Johannes Kornhuber
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Erlangen, Germany
| | - Stefan Bleich
- Center for Addiction Research (CARe), Department of Psychiatry, Socialpsychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School (MHH), Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany; Molecular Neurosciences Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, Socialpsychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School, Germany
| | - Helge Frieling
- Center for Addiction Research (CARe), Department of Psychiatry, Socialpsychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School (MHH), Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany; Molecular Neurosciences Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, Socialpsychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School, Germany.
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