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Özel F, Di Criscio M, Lupu DI, Sarkisyan D, Hlady RA, Robertson KD, Bakalkin G, Liu Y, Biernacka JM, Karpyak VM, Ekström TJ, Rüegg J. DNA methylation at DLGAP2 and risk for relapse in alcohol dependence during acamprosate treatment. Drug Alcohol Depend 2024; 256:111116. [PMID: 38364647 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2024.111116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2023] [Revised: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/18/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alcohol use disorders are prevalent mental disorders with significant health implications. Epigenetic alterations may play a role in their pathogenesis, as DNA methylation at several genes has been associated with these disorders. We have previously shown that methylation in the DLGAP2 gene, coding for a synaptic density protein, is associated with alcohol dependence. In this study, we aimed to examine the association between DLGAP2 methylation and treatment response among patients undergoing acamprosate treatment. METHODS 102 patients under acamprosate treatment were included. DNA methylation analysis at DLGAP2 was performed by bisulfite pyrosequencing at the start and after 3-month treatment. Treatment outcomes were having a relapse during the treatment and severity of craving at the end of three months. Cox proportional hazard and linear regression models were performed. RESULTS Patients whose methylation levels were decreased during the treatment showed an increased risk for relapse within three months in comparison to the ones without methylation change (hazard ratio [HR]=2.44; 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.04, 5.73; p=0.04). For the same group, a positive association for the severity of craving was observed, yet statistical significance was not reached (β=2.97; 95% CI=-0.41, 6.34; p=0.08). CONCLUSION We demonstrate that patients whose DLGAP2 methylation levels decrease during acamprosate treatment are more likely to relapse compared to the ones without changes. This is in line with our previous findings showing that DLGAP2 methylation is lower in alcohol dependent subjects compared to controls, and might suggest a role for changes in DLGAP2 methylation in treatment response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatih Özel
- Department of Organismal Biology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden; Centre for Women's Mental Health during the Reproductive Lifespan - Womher, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
| | | | - Diana Ioana Lupu
- Department of Organismal Biology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Daniil Sarkisyan
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Ryan A Hlady
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Keith D Robertson
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Georgy Bakalkin
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Yun Liu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Metabolism and Molecular Medicine, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences and Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Joanna M Biernacka
- Department of Psychiatry & Psychology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Victor M Karpyak
- Department of Psychiatry & Psychology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Tomas J Ekström
- Departments of Clinical Neuroscience and Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Joëlle Rüegg
- Department of Organismal Biology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
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Zillich L, Cetin M, Hummel EM, Poisel E, Fries GR, Frank J, Streit F, Foo JC, Sirignano L, Friske MM, Lenz B, Hoffmann S, Adorjan K, Kiefer F, Bakalkin G, Hansson AC, Lohoff FW, Kärkkäinen O, Kok E, Karhunen PJ, Sutherland GT, Walss-Bass C, Spanagel R, Rietschel M, Moser DA, Witt SH. Biological aging markers in blood and brain tissue indicate age acceleration in alcohol use disorder. ALCOHOL, CLINICAL & EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 48:250-259. [PMID: 38276909 PMCID: PMC10922212 DOI: 10.1111/acer.15241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2023] [Revised: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is associated with increased mortality and morbidity risk. A reason for this could be accelerated biological aging, which is strongly influenced by disease processes such as inflammation. As recent studies of AUD show changes in DNA methylation and gene expression in neuroinflammation-related pathways in the brain, biological aging represents a potentially important construct for understanding the adverse effects of substance use disorders. Epigenetic clocks have shown accelerated aging in blood samples from individuals with AUD. However, no systematic evaluation of biological age measures in AUD across different tissues and brain regions has been undertaken. METHODS As markers of biological aging (BioAge markers), we assessed Levine's and Horvath's epigenetic clocks, DNA methylation telomere length (DNAmTL), telomere length (TL), and mitochondrial DNA copy number (mtDNAcn) in postmortem brain samples from Brodmann Area 9 (BA9), caudate nucleus, and ventral striatum (N = 63-94), and in whole blood samples (N = 179) of individuals with and without AUD. To evaluate the association between AUD status and BioAge markers, we performed linear regression analyses while adjusting for covariates. RESULTS The majority of BioAge markers were significantly associated with chronological age in all samples. Levine's epigenetic clock and DNAmTL were indicative of accelerated biological aging in AUD in BA9 and whole blood samples, while Horvath's showed the opposite effect in BA9. No significant association of AUD with TL and mtDNAcn was detected. Measured TL and DNAmTL showed only small correlations in blood and none in brain. CONCLUSIONS The present study is the first to simultaneously investigate epigenetic clocks, telomere length, and mtDNAcn in postmortem brain and whole blood samples in individuals with AUD. We found evidence for accelerated biological aging in AUD in blood and brain, as measured by Levine's epigenetic clock, and DNAmTL. Additional studies of different tissues from the same individuals are needed to draw valid conclusions about the congruence of biological aging in blood and brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lea Zillich
- Department of Genetic Epidemiology in Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
- Section on Clinical Genomics and Experimental Therapeutics, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Metin Cetin
- Department of Genetic Epidemiology in Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Elisabeth M. Hummel
- Department of Genetic Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, Ruhr Universität Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Eric Poisel
- Department of Genetic Epidemiology in Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Gabriel R. Fries
- Louis A. Faillace Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Josef Frank
- Department of Genetic Epidemiology in Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Fabian Streit
- Department of Genetic Epidemiology in Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Jerome C. Foo
- Department of Genetic Epidemiology in Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Lea Sirignano
- Department of Genetic Epidemiology in Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Marion M. Friske
- Institute of Psychopharmacology, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Bernd Lenz
- Department of Addictive Behavior and Addiction Medicine, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Sabine Hoffmann
- Department of Addictive Behavior and Addiction Medicine, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Kristina Adorjan
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Institute of Psychiatric Phenomics and Genomics, University Hospital, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Falk Kiefer
- Department of Addictive Behavior and Addiction Medicine, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Georgy Bakalkin
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Anita C. Hansson
- Institute of Psychopharmacology, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Falk W. Lohoff
- Section on Clinical Genomics and Experimental Therapeutics, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Olli Kärkkäinen
- School of Pharmacy, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Eloise Kok
- Department of Pathology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland and HUS Diagnostic Center, Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
| | - Pekka J. Karhunen
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
- Fimlab Laboratories Ltd., Pirkanmaa Hospital District, and Finnish Cardiovascular Research Centre Tampere, Tampere, Finland
| | - Greg T Sutherland
- Charles Perkins Centre and School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Consuelo Walss-Bass
- Louis A. Faillace Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Rainer Spanagel
- Institute of Psychopharmacology, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Marcella Rietschel
- Department of Genetic Epidemiology in Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Dirk A. Moser
- Department of Genetic Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, Ruhr Universität Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Stephanie H. Witt
- Department of Genetic Epidemiology in Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
- Center for Innovative Psychiatric and Psychotherapeutic Research, Biobank, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
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Schuch JB, Bandeira CE, Junior JLS, Müller D, Charão MF, da Silva BS, Grevet EH, Kessler FHP, von Diemen L, Rovaris DL, Bau CHD. Global DNA methylation patterns in Alcohol Use Disorder. Genet Mol Biol 2024; 46:e20230139. [PMID: 38197733 PMCID: PMC10778554 DOI: 10.1590/1678-4685-gmb-2023-0139] [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: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) is a highly prevalent condition worldwide that produces a wide range of pathophysiological consequences, with a critical impact on health and social issues. Alcohol influences gene expression through epigenetic changes mainly through DNA methylation. In this sense, levels of 5-methylcytosine (5-mC), namely Global DNA methylation (GMe), which can be influenced by environmental and hormonal effects, represent a putative biological mechanism underlying alcohol effects. Our aim was to investigate the influence of AUD diagnosis and alcohol patterns (i.e., years of addiction, use in the last 30 days, and alcohol severity) on GMe levels. The sample consisted of 256 men diagnosed with AUD and 361 men without AUD. DNA samples from peripheral blood were used to assess GMe levels, measured through the levels of 5-mC using high-performance liquid chromatography. Results from multiple linear regression analysis indicated that the presence of AUD was associated with lower GMe levels (beta=-0.155, p=0.011). Other alcohol-related outcomes were not associated with DNA methylation. Our findings are consistent with the hypothesis that the impact of chronic and heavy alcohol use in GMe could be a potential mechanism mediating the multiple organ damages related to AUD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaqueline B. Schuch
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Faculdade de Medicina, Departamento de Psiquiatria, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Psiquiatria e Ciências do Comportamento, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Centro de Pesquisa em Álcool e Drogas, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Cibele E. Bandeira
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Programa de Psiquiatria do Desenvolvimento, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
- Universidade de São Paulo, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Departamento de Fisiologia e Biofísica, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Jorge L. S. Junior
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Instituto de Biociências, Departamento de Genética, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Genética e Biologia Molecular, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Diana Müller
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Instituto de Biociências, Departamento de Genética, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Genética e Biologia Molecular, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Programa de Psiquiatria do Desenvolvimento, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Mariele F. Charão
- Universidade Feevale, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Toxicologia e Análises Toxicológicas, Novo Hamburgo, RS, Brazil
| | - Bruna S. da Silva
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Programa de Psiquiatria do Desenvolvimento, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
- Universidade de São Paulo, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Departamento de Fisiologia e Biofísica, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Eugenio H. Grevet
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Faculdade de Medicina, Departamento de Psiquiatria, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Psiquiatria e Ciências do Comportamento, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Programa de Psiquiatria do Desenvolvimento, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Felix H. P. Kessler
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Faculdade de Medicina, Departamento de Psiquiatria, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Psiquiatria e Ciências do Comportamento, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Centro de Pesquisa em Álcool e Drogas, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Lisia von Diemen
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Faculdade de Medicina, Departamento de Psiquiatria, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Psiquiatria e Ciências do Comportamento, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Centro de Pesquisa em Álcool e Drogas, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Diego L. Rovaris
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Programa de Psiquiatria do Desenvolvimento, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
- Universidade de São Paulo, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Departamento de Fisiologia e Biofísica, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Claiton H. D. Bau
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Faculdade de Medicina, Departamento de Psiquiatria, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Psiquiatria e Ciências do Comportamento, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Instituto de Biociências, Departamento de Genética, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Genética e Biologia Molecular, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Programa de Psiquiatria do Desenvolvimento, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
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Stull SW, Linden-Carmichael AN, Scott CK, Dennis ML, Lanza ST. Time-varying effect modeling with intensive longitudinal data: Examining dynamic links among craving, affect, self-efficacy and substance use during addiction recovery. Addiction 2023; 118:2220-2232. [PMID: 37416972 DOI: 10.1111/add.16284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2022] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023]
Abstract
Time-varying effect modeling (TVEM), a statistical technique for modeling dynamic patterns of change, presents new opportunities to study biobehavioral health processes. TVEM is particularly useful when applied to intensive longitudinal data (ILD) because it permits highly flexible modeling of outcomes over continuous time, as well as of associations between variables and moderation effects. TVEM coupled with ILD is ideal for the study of addiction. This article provides a general overview of using TVEM, particularly when applied to ILD, to better enable addiction scientists to conduct novel analyses that are important to realizing the dynamics of addiction-related processes. It presents an empirical example using ecological momentary assessment data from participants throughout their first 90 days of addiction recovery to estimate the (1) associations between morning craving and same-day recovery outcomes, (2) association between morning positive and negative affect and same-day recovery outcomes and (3) time-varying moderation effects of affect on the association between morning craving and recovery outcomes. We provide a didactic overview in implementing and interpreting the aims and results, including equations, computer syntax and reference resources. Our results highlight how affect operates as both a time-varying risk and protective factor on recovery outcomes, particularly when considered in combination with experiences of craving (i.e. dynamic moderation). We conclude by discussing our results, recent innovations and future directions of TVEM for advancing addiction science, including how 'time' can be operationalized to probe new research questions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel W Stull
- Department of Biobehavioral Health, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Ashley N Linden-Carmichael
- The Edna Bennett Pierce Prevention Research Center, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, University Park, PA, USA
| | | | | | - Stephanie T Lanza
- Department of Biobehavioral Health, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
- The Edna Bennett Pierce Prevention Research Center, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, University Park, PA, USA
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5
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Wen X, Yue L, Du Z, Li L, Zhu Y, Yu D, Yuan K. Implications of neuroimaging findings in addiction. PSYCHORADIOLOGY 2023; 3:kkad006. [PMID: 38666116 PMCID: PMC10917371 DOI: 10.1093/psyrad/kkad006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2023] [Revised: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Xinwen Wen
- School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi'an 710126, China
| | - Lirong Yue
- School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi'an 710126, China
| | - Zhe Du
- School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi'an 710126, China
| | - Linling Li
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Medical School, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomedical Measurements and Ultrasound Imaging, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Yuanqiang Zhu
- Department of Radiology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China
| | - Dahua Yu
- Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Pattern Recognition and Intelligent Image Processing, School of Information Engineering, Inner Mongolia University of Science and Technology, Baotou 014010, China
| | - Kai Yuan
- School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi'an 710126, China
- Engineering Research Center of Molecular and Neuro Imaging Ministry of Education, Xidian University, Xi'an 710126, China
- Xi'an Key Laboratory of Intelligent Sensing and Regulation of trans-Scale Life Information, School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi'an 710126, China
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6
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Wang J, Deane FP, Kelly PJ, Robinson L. A narrative review of outcome measures used in drug and alcohol inpatient withdrawal treatment research. Drug Alcohol Rev 2023; 42:415-426. [PMID: 36633552 PMCID: PMC10108086 DOI: 10.1111/dar.13591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2022] [Revised: 11/20/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
ISSUES Assessing drug and alcohol inpatient withdrawal treatment programs is important, as these represent a first step of treatment among people with alcohol and drug problems. However, there are many ways of measuring outcomes making it difficult for service providers to decide which domains and methods to use. This narrative review aims to clarify frequencies of the domains and methods used to assess withdrawal treatment outcomes. APPROACH We reviewed published studies that examined outcomes of inpatient drug and alcohol withdrawal treatment. The types of outcome measures used and the frequency of use were summarised. KEY FINDINGS The review showed that assessment of withdrawal treatment outcomes goes beyond traditional abstinence measures. Outcomes mainly focus on biological and psychological outcomes, with social outcomes rarely measured. Even within outcome domains (e.g., cravings), there were many assessment methods. IMPLICATIONS The review provides service providers with an outline of common outcome domains and measures. Given the importance of social functioning to recovery from alcohol and drug problems, greater emphasis on such measures is desirable. Future research could develop greater consensus on outcome measures for use in withdrawal management services to facilitate clarity around factors associated with treatment success. CONCLUSION Outcome assessment in withdrawal treatment goes beyond abstinence to include holistic measurement of biological, psychological and some social outcomes; but more work needs to be done to cohere the different assessment methods and broaden the scope to include social functioning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Wang
- School of Psychology, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, Australia
| | - Frank P Deane
- School of Psychology, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, Australia
| | - Peter J Kelly
- School of Psychology, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, Australia
| | - Laura Robinson
- School of Psychology, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, Australia
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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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Lei MK, Gibbons FX, Gerrard M, Beach SRH, Dawes K, Philibert R. Digital methylation assessments of alcohol and cigarette consumption account for common variance in accelerated epigenetic ageing. Epigenetics 2022; 17:1991-2005. [PMID: 35866695 PMCID: PMC9665121 DOI: 10.1080/15592294.2022.2100684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Smoking and Heavy Alcohol Consumption (HAC) are established risk factors for myriad complex disorders of ageing. Yet many prior studies of Epigenetic Ageing (EA) have shown only modest effects of smoking and drinking on accelerated ageing. One potential reason for this conundrum might be the reliance of some prior EA studies on self-reported substance use, which may be unreliable in many samples. To test whether novel, non-self-reported indices would show a stronger association of smoking and HAC to EA, we used methylation sensitive digital PCR (MSdPCR) and data from 437 African American subjects from Wave 7 of the Family and Community Health Study Offspring Cohort to examine the effects of subjective and objective measures of smoking and HAC on 7 indices of EA. Because of limited overall correlations between the various EA indices, we examined patterns of association separately for each index. Consistent with expectations, MSdPCR assessments of smoking and HAC, but not self-reported alcohol consumption, were strongly correlated with accelerated EA. MSdPCR assessments of smoking and HAC accounted for 57% of GrimAge acceleration and the shared variance in GrimAge and DunedinPOAM accelerated EA. We conclude that MSdPCR assessments of smoking and HAC are valuable tools for understanding EA, represent directly targetable conditions for the prevention of premature ageing, and substantially improve upon self-reported assessment of smoking and HAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Man-Kit Lei
- Department of Sociology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA.,Center for Family Research, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Frederick X Gibbons
- Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
| | - Meg Gerrard
- Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
| | - Steven R H Beach
- Center for Family Research, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA.,Department of Psychology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Kelsey Dawes
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Robert Philibert
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA.,Behavioral Diagnostics LLC, Coralville, IA, USA
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9
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Zillich L, Poisel E, Frank J, Foo JC, Friske MM, Streit F, Sirignano L, Heilmann-Heimbach S, Heimbach A, Hoffmann P, Degenhardt F, Hansson AC, Bakalkin G, Nöthen MM, Rietschel M, Spanagel R, Witt SH. Multi-omics signatures of alcohol use disorder in the dorsal and ventral striatum. Transl Psychiatry 2022; 12:190. [PMID: 35523767 PMCID: PMC9076849 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-022-01959-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2022] [Revised: 04/20/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) is a major contributor to global mortality and morbidity. Postmortem human brain tissue enables the investigation of molecular mechanisms of AUD in the neurocircuitry of addiction. We aimed to identify differentially expressed (DE) genes in the ventral and dorsal striatum between individuals with AUD and controls, and to integrate the results with findings from genome- and epigenome-wide association studies (GWAS/EWAS) to identify functionally relevant molecular mechanisms of AUD. DNA-methylation and gene expression (RNA-seq) data was generated from postmortem brain samples of 48 individuals with AUD and 51 controls from the ventral striatum (VS) and the dorsal striatal regions caudate nucleus (CN) and putamen (PUT). We identified DE genes using DESeq2, performed gene-set enrichment analysis (GSEA), and tested enrichment of DE genes in results of GWASs using MAGMA. Weighted correlation network analysis (WGCNA) was performed for DNA-methylation and gene expression data and gene overlap was tested. Differential gene expression was observed in the dorsal (FDR < 0.05), but not the ventral striatum of AUD cases. In the VS, DE genes at FDR < 0.25 were overrepresented in a recent GWAS of problematic alcohol use. The ARHGEF15 gene was upregulated in all three brain regions. GSEA in CN and VS pointed towards cell-structure associated GO-terms and in PUT towards immune pathways. The WGCNA modules most strongly associated with AUD showed strong enrichment for immune response and inflammation pathways. Our integrated analysis of multi-omics data sets provides further evidence for the importance of immune- and inflammation-related processes in AUD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lea Zillich
- Department of Genetic Epidemiology in Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Eric Poisel
- Department of Genetic Epidemiology in Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Josef Frank
- Department of Genetic Epidemiology in Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Jerome C Foo
- Department of Genetic Epidemiology in Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Marion M Friske
- Institute of Psychopharmacology, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Fabian Streit
- Department of Genetic Epidemiology in Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Lea Sirignano
- Department of Genetic Epidemiology in Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Stefanie Heilmann-Heimbach
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Bonn, School of Medicine & University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - André Heimbach
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Bonn, School of Medicine & University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Per Hoffmann
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Bonn, School of Medicine & University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Basel, 4003, Switzerland
| | - Franziska Degenhardt
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Anita C Hansson
- Institute of Psychopharmacology, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Georgy Bakalkin
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Markus M Nöthen
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Bonn, School of Medicine & University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Marcella Rietschel
- Department of Genetic Epidemiology in Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Rainer Spanagel
- Institute of Psychopharmacology, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany.
| | - Stephanie H Witt
- Department of Genetic Epidemiology in Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
- Center for Innovative Psychiatric and Psychotherapeutic Research, Biobank, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
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10
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Yang W, Zhang M, Tang F, Du Y, Fan L, Luo J, Yan C, Wang S, Zhang J, Yuan K, Liu J. Recovery of superior frontal gyrus cortical thickness and resting-state functional connectivity in abstinent heroin users after 8 months of follow-up. Hum Brain Mapp 2022; 43:3164-3175. [PMID: 35324057 PMCID: PMC9188969 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.25841] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2021] [Revised: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 03/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Compared with healthy controls, heroin users (HUs) show evidence of structural and functional brain alterations. However, little is known about the possibility of brain recovery after protracted heroin abstinence. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether brain recovery is possible after protracted abstinence in HUs. A total of 108 subjects with heroin addiction completed structural and functional scans, and 61 of those subjects completed 8-month follow-up scans. Resting-state data and 3D-T1 MR images were collected for all participants, first at baseline and again after 8 months. Cognitive function and craving were measured by the Trail Making Test-A (TMT-A) and Visual Analog Scale for Craving, respectively. The cortical thickness and resting-state functional connectivity (RSFC) differences were then analyzed and compared between baseline and follow-up, and correlations were obtained between neuroimaging and behavioral changes. HUs demonstrated improved cognition (shorter TMT-A time) and reduced craving at the follow-up (HU2) relative to baseline (HU1), and the cortical thickness in the bilateral superior frontal gyrus (SFG) was significantly greater at HU2 than at HU1. Additionally, the RSFC of the left SFG with the inferior frontal gyrus (IFG), insula, and nucleus accumbens and that of the right SFG with the IFG, insula and orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) were increased at HU2. The changes in TMT-A time were negatively correlated with the RSFC changes between the left SFG and the bilateral IFG, the bilateral caudate, and the right insula. The changes in craving were negatively correlated with the RSFC changes between the left OFC and the bilateral SFG. Our results demonstrated that impaired frontal-limbic neurocircuitry can be partially restored, which might enable improved cognition as well as reduced craving in substance-abusing individuals. We provided novel scientific evidence for the partial recovery of brain circuits implicated in cognition and craving after protracted abstinence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenhan Yang
- Department of Radiology, Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Min Zhang
- School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi'an, China.,Engineering Research Center of Molecular and Neuroimaging, Ministry of Education, Xi'an, China
| | - Fei Tang
- Department of Radiology, Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yanyao Du
- Department of Radiology, Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Li Fan
- Department of Radiology, Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Jing Luo
- Department of Radiology, Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Cui Yan
- Department of Radiology, Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Shicong Wang
- School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi'an, China.,Engineering Research Center of Molecular and Neuroimaging, Ministry of Education, Xi'an, China
| | - Jun Zhang
- Hunan Judicial Police Academy, Changsha, China
| | - Kai Yuan
- School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi'an, China.,Engineering Research Center of Molecular and Neuroimaging, Ministry of Education, Xi'an, China.,Xi'an Key Laboratory of Intelligent Sensing and Regulation of Trans-Scale Life Information, School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi'an, China.,Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Pattern Recognition and Intelligent Image Processing, School of Information Engineering, Inner Mongolia University of Science and Technology, Baotou, China
| | - Jun Liu
- Department of Radiology, Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
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11
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Lohoff FW, Clarke TK, Kaminsky ZA, Walker RM, Bermingham ML, Jung J, Morris SW, Rosoff D, Campbell A, Barbu M, Charlet K, Adams M, Lee J, Howard DM, O'Connell EM, Whalley H, Porteous DJ, McIntosh AM, Evans KL. Epigenome-wide association study of alcohol consumption in N = 8161 individuals and relevance to alcohol use disorder pathophysiology: identification of the cystine/glutamate transporter SLC7A11 as a top target. Mol Psychiatry 2022; 27:1754-1764. [PMID: 34857913 PMCID: PMC9095480 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-021-01378-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Revised: 09/22/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Alcohol misuse is common in many societies worldwide and is associated with extensive morbidity and mortality, often leading to alcohol use disorders (AUD) and alcohol-related end-organ damage. The underlying mechanisms contributing to the development of AUD are largely unknown; however, growing evidence suggests that alcohol consumption is strongly associated with alterations in DNA methylation. Identification of alcohol-associated methylomic variation might provide novel insights into pathophysiology and novel treatment targets for AUD. Here we performed the largest single-cohort epigenome-wide association study (EWAS) of alcohol consumption to date (N = 8161) and cross-validated findings in AUD populations with relevant endophenotypes, as well as alcohol-related animal models. Results showed 2504 CpGs significantly associated with alcohol consumption (Bonferroni p value < 6.8 × 10-8) with the five leading probes located in SLC7A11 (p = 7.75 × 10-108), JDP2 (p = 1.44 × 10-56), GAS5 (p = 2.71 × 10-47), TRA2B (p = 3.54 × 10-42), and SLC43A1 (p = 1.18 × 10-40). Genes annotated to associated CpG sites are implicated in liver and brain function, the cellular response to alcohol and alcohol-associated diseases, including hypertension and Alzheimer's disease. Two-sample Mendelian randomization confirmed the causal relationship of consumption on AUD risk (inverse variance weighted (IVW) p = 5.37 × 10-09). A methylation-based predictor of alcohol consumption was able to discriminate AUD cases in two independent cohorts (p = 6.32 × 10-38 and p = 5.41 × 10-14). The top EWAS probe cg06690548, located in the cystine/glutamate transporter SLC7A11, was replicated in an independent cohort of AUD and control participants (N = 615) and showed strong hypomethylation in AUD (p < 10-17). Decreased CpG methylation at this probe was consistently associated with clinical measures including increased heavy drinking days (p < 10-4), increased liver function enzymes (GGT (p = 1.03 × 10-21), ALT (p = 1.29 × 10-6), and AST (p = 1.97 × 10-8)) in individuals with AUD. Postmortem brain analyses documented increased SLC7A11 expression in the frontal cortex of individuals with AUD and animal models showed marked increased expression in liver, suggesting a mechanism by which alcohol leads to hypomethylation-induced overexpression of SLC7A11. Taken together, our EWAS discovery sample and subsequent validation of the top probe in AUD suggest a strong role of abnormal glutamate signaling mediated by methylomic variation in SLC7A11. Our data are intriguing given the prominent role of glutamate signaling in brain and liver and might provide an important target for therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Falk W Lohoff
- Section on Clinical Genomics and Experimental Therapeutics, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
| | - Toni-Kim Clarke
- Division of Psychiatry, University of Edinburgh, Royal Edinburgh Hospital, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Zachary A Kaminsky
- Royal's Institute of Mental Health Research, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Rosie M Walker
- Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Mairead L Bermingham
- Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Jeesun Jung
- Section on Clinical Genomics and Experimental Therapeutics, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Stewart W Morris
- Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Daniel Rosoff
- Section on Clinical Genomics and Experimental Therapeutics, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Archie Campbell
- Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Miruna Barbu
- Division of Psychiatry, University of Edinburgh, Royal Edinburgh Hospital, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Katrin Charlet
- Section on Clinical Genomics and Experimental Therapeutics, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Mark Adams
- Division of Psychiatry, University of Edinburgh, Royal Edinburgh Hospital, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Jisoo Lee
- Section on Clinical Genomics and Experimental Therapeutics, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - David M Howard
- Division of Psychiatry, University of Edinburgh, Royal Edinburgh Hospital, Edinburgh, UK
- Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Emma M O'Connell
- Section on Clinical Genomics and Experimental Therapeutics, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Heather Whalley
- Division of Psychiatry, University of Edinburgh, Royal Edinburgh Hospital, Edinburgh, UK
| | - David J Porteous
- Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Andrew M McIntosh
- Division of Psychiatry, University of Edinburgh, Royal Edinburgh Hospital, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Kathryn L Evans
- Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
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12
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Zillich L, Frank J, Streit F, Friske MM, Foo JC, Sirignano L, Heilmann-Heimbach S, Dukal H, Degenhardt F, Hoffmann P, Hansson AC, Nöthen MM, Rietschel M, Spanagel R, Witt SH. Epigenome-wide association study of alcohol use disorder in five brain regions. Neuropsychopharmacology 2022; 47:832-839. [PMID: 34775485 PMCID: PMC8882178 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-021-01228-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2021] [Revised: 10/05/2021] [Accepted: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is closely linked to the brain regions forming the neurocircuitry of addiction. Postmortem human brain tissue enables the direct study of the molecular pathomechanisms of AUD. This study aims to identify these mechanisms by examining differential DNA-methylation between cases with severe AUD (n = 53) and controls (n = 58) using a brain-region-specific approach, in which sample sizes ranged between 46 and 94. Samples of the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), Brodmann Area 9 (BA9), caudate nucleus (CN), ventral striatum (VS), and putamen (PUT) were investigated. DNA-methylation levels were determined using the Illumina HumanMethylationEPIC Beadchip. Epigenome-wide association analyses were carried out to identify differentially methylated CpG-sites and regions between cases and controls in each brain region. Weighted correlation network analysis (WGCNA), gene-set, and GWAS-enrichment analyses were performed. Two differentially methylated CpG-sites were associated with AUD in the CN, and 18 in VS (q < 0.05). No epigenome-wide significant CpG-sites were found in BA9, ACC, or PUT. Differentially methylated regions associated with AUD case-/control status (q < 0.05) were found in the CN (n = 6), VS (n = 18), and ACC (n = 1). In the VS, the WGCNA-module showing the strongest association with AUD was enriched for immune-related pathways. This study is the first to analyze methylation differences between AUD cases and controls in multiple brain regions and consists of the largest sample to date. Several novel CpG-sites and regions implicated in AUD were identified, providing a first basis to explore epigenetic correlates of AUD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lea Zillich
- grid.413757.30000 0004 0477 2235Department of Genetic Epidemiology in Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Josef Frank
- grid.413757.30000 0004 0477 2235Department of Genetic Epidemiology in Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Fabian Streit
- grid.413757.30000 0004 0477 2235Department of Genetic Epidemiology in Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Marion M. Friske
- grid.413757.30000 0004 0477 2235Institute of Psychopharmacology, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Jerome C. Foo
- grid.413757.30000 0004 0477 2235Department of Genetic Epidemiology in Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Lea Sirignano
- grid.413757.30000 0004 0477 2235Department of Genetic Epidemiology in Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Stefanie Heilmann-Heimbach
- grid.10388.320000 0001 2240 3300Institute of Human Genetics, University of Bonn, School of Medicine & University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Helene Dukal
- grid.413757.30000 0004 0477 2235Department of Genetic Epidemiology in Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Franziska Degenhardt
- grid.10388.320000 0001 2240 3300Institute of Human Genetics, University of Bonn, School of Medicine & University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany ,grid.410718.b0000 0001 0262 7331Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Per Hoffmann
- grid.10388.320000 0001 2240 3300Institute of Human Genetics, University of Bonn, School of Medicine & University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Anita C. Hansson
- grid.413757.30000 0004 0477 2235Institute of Psychopharmacology, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Markus M. Nöthen
- grid.10388.320000 0001 2240 3300Institute of Human Genetics, University of Bonn, School of Medicine & University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Marcella Rietschel
- grid.413757.30000 0004 0477 2235Department of Genetic Epidemiology in Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Rainer Spanagel
- Institute of Psychopharmacology, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany.
| | - Stephanie H. Witt
- grid.413757.30000 0004 0477 2235Department of Genetic Epidemiology in Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany ,grid.413757.30000 0004 0477 2235Center for Innovative Psychiatric and Psychotherapeutic Research, Biobank, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
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13
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Abstract
Substance use disorders (SUDs) are conditions in which the use of legal or illegal substances, such as nicotine, alcohol or opioids, results in clinical and functional impairment. SUDs and, more generally, substance use are genetically complex traits that are enormously costly on an individual and societal basis. The past few years have seen remarkable progress in our understanding of the genetics, and therefore the biology, of substance use and abuse. Various studies - including of well-defined phenotypes in deeply phenotyped samples, as well as broadly defined phenotypes in meta-analysis and biobank samples - have revealed multiple risk loci for these common traits. A key emerging insight from this work establishes a biological and genetic distinction between quantity and/or frequency measures of substance use (which may involve low levels of use without dependence), versus symptoms related to physical dependence.
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14
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Longley MJ, Lee J, Jung J, Lohoff FW. Epigenetics of alcohol use disorder-A review of recent advances in DNA methylation profiling. Addict Biol 2021; 26:e13006. [PMID: 33538087 PMCID: PMC8596445 DOI: 10.1111/adb.13006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2020] [Revised: 01/05/2021] [Accepted: 01/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a major contributor to morbidity and mortality worldwide. Although there is a heritable component, the etiology of AUD is complex and can involve environmental exposures like trauma and can be associated with many different patterns of alcohol consumption. Epigenetic modifications, which can mediate the influence of genetic variants and environmental variables on gene expression, have emerged as an important area of AUD research. Over the past decade, the number of studies investigating AUD and DNA methylation, a form of epigenetic modification, has grown rapidly. Yet we are still far from understanding how DNA methylation contributes to or reflects aspects of AUD. In this paper, we reviewed studies of DNA methylation and AUD and discussed how the field has evolved. We found that global DNA and candidate DNA methylation studies did not produce replicable results. To assess whether findings of epigenome-wide association studies (EWAS) were replicated, we aggregated significant findings across studies and identified 184 genes and 15 gene ontological pathways that were differentially methylated in at least two studies and four genes and three gene ontological pathways that were differentially methylated in three studies. These genes and pathways repeatedly found enrichment of immune processes, which is in line with recent developments suggesting that the immune system may be altered in AUD. Finally, we assess the current limitations of studies of DNA methylation and AUD and make recommendations on how to design future studies to resolve outstanding questions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martha J. Longley
- Section on Clinical Genomics and Experimental TherapeuticsNational Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of HealthBethesdaMarylandUSA
| | - Jisoo Lee
- Section on Clinical Genomics and Experimental TherapeuticsNational Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of HealthBethesdaMarylandUSA
| | - Jeesun Jung
- Section on Clinical Genomics and Experimental TherapeuticsNational Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of HealthBethesdaMarylandUSA
| | - Falk W. Lohoff
- Section on Clinical Genomics and Experimental TherapeuticsNational Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of HealthBethesdaMarylandUSA
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15
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Yang M, Barrios J, Yan J, Zhao W, Yuan S, Dong E, Ai X. Causal roles of stress kinase JNK2 in DNA methylation and binge alcohol withdrawal-evoked behavioral deficits. Pharmacol Res 2021; 164:105375. [PMID: 33316384 PMCID: PMC7867628 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2020.105375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2020] [Revised: 11/20/2020] [Accepted: 12/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Excessive binge alcohol intake is a common drinking pattern in humans, especially during holidays. Cessation of the binge drinking often leads to aberrant withdrawal behaviors, as well as serious heart rhythm abnormalities (clinically diagnosed as Holiday Heart Syndrome (HHS)). In our HHS mouse model with well-characterized binge alcohol withdrawal (BAW)-induced heart phenotypes, BAW leads to anxiety-like behaviors and cognitive impairment. We have previously reported that stress-activated c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinase (JNK) plays a causal role in BAW-induced heart phenotypes. In the HHS brain, we found that activation of JNK2 (but not JNK1 and JNK3) in the prefrontal cortex (PFC), but not hippocampus and amygdala, led to anxiety-like behaviors and impaired cognition. DNA methylation mediated by a crucial DNA methylation enzyme, DNA methyltransferase1 (DNMT1), is known to be critical in alcohol-associated behavioral deficits. In HHS mice, JNK2 in the PFC (but not hippocampus and amygdala) causally enhanced total genomic DNA methylation via increased DNMT1 expression, which was regulated by enhanced binding of JNK downstream transcriptional factor c-JUN to the DNMT1 promoter. JNK2-specific inhibition either by an inhibitor JNK2I or JNK2 knockout completely offset c-JUN-regulated DNMT1 upregulation and restored the level of DNA methylation in HHS PFC to the baseline levels seen in sham controls. Strikingly, either JNK2-specific inhibition or genetic JNK2 depletion or DNMT1 inhibition (by an inhibitor 5-Azacytidine) completely abolished BAW-evoked behavioral deficits. In conclusion, our studies revealed a novel mechanism by which JNK2 drives BAW-evoked behavioral deficits through a DNMT1-regulated DNA hypermethylation. JNK2 could be a novel therapeutic target for alcohol withdrawal treatment and/or prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mei Yang
- Department of Physiology & Biophysics, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, 60607, USA
| | - Jasson Barrios
- Department of Physiology & Biophysics, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, 60607, USA
| | - Jiajie Yan
- Department of Physiology & Biophysics, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, 60607, USA
| | - Weiwei Zhao
- Department of Physiology & Biophysics, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, 60607, USA
| | - Shengtao Yuan
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Screening, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Erbo Dong
- Center for Alcohol Research in Epigenetics, Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, IL, 60612, USA.
| | - Xun Ai
- Department of Physiology & Biophysics, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, 60607, USA.
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16
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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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17
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Dulman RS, Wandling GM, Pandey SC. Epigenetic mechanisms underlying pathobiology of alcohol use disorder. CURRENT PATHOBIOLOGY REPORTS 2020; 8:61-73. [PMID: 33747641 DOI: 10.1007/s40139-020-00210-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Purpose of review Chronic alcohol use is a worldwide problem with multifaceted consequences including multiplying medical costs and sequelae, societal effects like drunk driving and assault, and lost economic productivity. These large-scale outcomes are driven by the consumption of ethanol, a small permeable molecule that has myriad effects in the human body, particularly in the liver and brain. In this review, we have summarized effects of acute and chronic alcohol consumption on epigenetic mechanisms that may drive pathobiology of Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) while identifying areas of need for future research. Recent findings Epigenetics has emerged as an interesting field of biology at the intersection of genetics and the environment, and ethanol in particular has been identified as a potent modulator of the epigenome with various effects on DNA methylation, histone modifications, and non-coding RNAs. These changes alter chromatin dynamics and regulate gene expression that contribute to behavioral and physiological changes leading to the development of AUD psychopathology and cancer pathology. Summary Evidence and discussion presented here from preclinical results and available translational studies have increased our knowledge of the epigenetic effects of alcohol consumption. These studies have identified targets that can be used to develop better therapies to reduce chronic alcohol abuse and mitigate its societal burden and pathophysiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Russell S Dulman
- Center for Alcohol Research in Epigenetics, Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Gabriela M Wandling
- Center for Alcohol Research in Epigenetics, Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Subhash C Pandey
- Center for Alcohol Research in Epigenetics, Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA.,Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
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