Open AccessEpigenetic Mechanisms Underlying Pathobiology of Alcohol Use Disorder
Author(s) -
Russell S Dulman,
Gabriela M Wandling,
Subhash C. Pandey
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
current pathobiology reports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.177
H-Index - 24
ISSN - 2167-485X
DOI - 10.1007/s40139-020-00210-0
Subject(s) - epigenetics , epigenome , alcohol use disorder , dna methylation , histone , bioinformatics , medicine , biology , neuroscience , genetics , alcohol , gene , gene expression , biochemistry
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.