Drugs and addiction: an introduction to epigenetics

  1. Chloe C. Y. Wong1,
  2. Jonathan Mill1,*,
  3. Cathy Fernandes2

Article first published online: 7 FEB 2011

DOI: 10.1111/j.1360-0443.2010.03321.x

Issue

Addiction

Addiction

Volume 106, Issue 3, pages 480–489, March 2011

Additional Information

How to Cite

Wong, C. C. Y., Mill, J. and Fernandes, C. (2011), Drugs and addiction: an introduction to epigenetics. Addiction, 106: 480–489. doi: 10.1111/j.1360-0443.2010.03321.x

Author Information

  1. 1

    Institute of Psychiatry, SGDP Research Centre and Department of Psychosis Studies

  2. 2

    King's College London, De Crespigny Park, Denmark Hill, London, UK

*Jonathan Mill, Institute of Psychiatry, SGDP Research Centre, King's College London, De Crespigny Park, Denmark Hill, London SE5 8AF, UK. E-mail: jonathan.mill@kcl.ac.uk

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 7 FEB 2011
  2. Article first published online: 7 FEB 2011
  3. Accepted manuscript online: 2 DEC 2010 01:13AM EST
  4. Submitted 6 November 2009; initial review completed 22 December 2009; final version accepted 22 November 2010

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Keywords:

  • Addiction;
  • alcohol;
  • DNA methylation;
  • drugs;
  • epigenetics;
  • genetics

ABSTRACT

Addiction is a debilitating psychiatric disorder, with a complex aetiology involving the interaction of inherited predispositions and environmental factors. Emerging evidence suggests that epigenetic alterations to the genome, including DNA methylation and histone modifications, are important mechanisms underlying addiction and the neurobiological response to addictive substances. In this review, we introduce the reader to epigenetic mechanisms and describe a potential role for dynamic epigenetic changes in mediating addictive behaviours via long-lasting changes in gene expression. We summarize recent findings from both molecular and behavioural experiments elucidating the role of epigenetic changes in mediating the addictive potential of various drugs of abuse, including cocaine, amphetamine and alcohol. The implications of these findings for molecular studies of addiction and the future development of novel therapeutic interventions are also discussed.

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