Understanding How Substance Abuse Changes the Brain at a Genetic Level
There is a common instictual leaning in humans to find and react to rewards, whether it’s satisfying thirst with water or hunger with food. However, this reward pathway in our brains can be overtaken and distorted by substances such as drugs and alcohol, leading to uncontrollable cravings and diminished impulse control. Over the years, the source of Reader Wall has observed that the common layman’s understanding of addiction often boils down to a lack of willpower. However, advances in molecular genetics have disproved this notion and confirmed that there is indeed a genetic and neurobiological basis for addiction.
Examining the Molecular Mechanisms of Addiction
As neurogeneticists, we push the boundaries of our knowledge about addiction by studying the influence of substances on the brain, merging neuroscience and genetics to generate valuable insights. Over the past decade, our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underpinning addiction has evolved significantly, thanks in part to a better comprehension of the dynamic regulation of genes in the brain. Such fresh perspectives on the onset of addictions could potentially transform the approaches we use to tackle the issue.
The Role of DNA and Genes in Brain Activity
In every brain cell, your genetic code is stored in long strands of DNA. These strands must be tightly wound to fit into each cell, and this is facilitated by wrapping the DNA around protein ‘spools’ known as histones. In areas where the DNA is unwound, there are active genes coding for crucial proteins that serve important functions within the cell.
When gene activity alters, there are changes to the proteins that your cells produce. These variations can influence everything from a single brain cell connection to your overall behavior. This dynamic switch of gene activations indicates that although your genes directly inform your brain development, the genes that are ‘turned on or off’—or more scientifically, become activated or deactivated as you learn new things are constantly changing to meet your day-to-day requirements.
Link Between Addictive Substances and Gene Expression
Recent experimental subject data shows that addictive substances such as drugs and alcohol can directly induce changes in the gene expression of brain areas that control memory and reward responses.
Addictive substances have the potential to influence gene expression in several ways. They can manipulate which proteins are bound to DNA, controlling gene ‘on’ and ‘off’ switches, and they can also dictate which DNA segments are unwound. Furthermore, they can alter the process of DNA reading and protein translation, and adjust the proteins that regulate how cells function and consume energy.
Shedding Light on Addictive Substance Induced Genetic Alterations
However, the exact process of drug-induced genetic alterations remains a mystery. There is a known direct correlation between alcohol consumption and changes in gene expression in mice, providing a clue. For instance, the presence of acetate, a byproduct of alcohol breakdown in the liver, is capable of unwinding DNA from histones in mouse memory circuits.
Nicotine, alcohol, cocaine, and opioids also engage fundamental signalling pathways that manage metabolism, implying that they have a significant impact on myriad aspects of brain cell function and, consequently, the expression of genes.
The effects of various addictive substances on cellular function are complex. Genes can be modified in several ways between its initial conception and its manifestation as a functional protein, including through exposure to drugs and alcohol. Despite the complexity, it’s encouraging for researchers since it implies that changes to gene expression in the brain are not necessarily permanent and can be altered with medication or lifestyle modifications.
Potential Therapies and Lifestyle Choices
Many commonly prescribed medications for mental health disorders, such as mood stabilisers and antidepressants, can influence gene expression. Moreover, therapists who work with mRNA-based treatments can specifically modify which genes are expressed to treat diseases like cancer. Similar therapies for substance use disorders may be discovered in the future. These therapies could target crucial signaling pathways associated with addiction, altering the functions of brain circuits and their interactions with drugs and alcohol.
Lifestyle decisions can also influence gene expression in the brain, although it remains unclear whether they can counter the modifications caused by addictive substances. For instance, dietary changes, meditation, and exercise all affect gene regulation significantly and provide potential avenues to counteract the effects of substance abuse.
In sum, factors including medication, alternatives therapies, and healthy lifestyle practices have potential to drive long-term benefits for mental and physical health. These can play a significant role in stabilizing the profound effects substance abuse can have on our brain biology.
