表观遗传机制在酒精精神依赖过程中的研究进展

Research Progress of Epigenetic Mechanism in Process of Alcohol Mental Dependence

酒精依赖是一种饮酒所致的对酒渴求的慢性复发性脑病,由多种因素引起。体内的表观遗传机制高度稳定并受环境因素影响,能够用独特的角度解释长达数月甚至数年的成瘾记忆现象,其中组蛋白修饰、DNA甲基化和微RNA修饰在酒精依赖过程中起核心作用,其将基因表达的表观遗传调控与脑组织中的病理生理改变以及神经元适应性变化结合起来。特定的表观遗传修饰呈现出显著的酒精成瘾行为及电生理改变,了解表观遗传学在酒精精神依赖中的作用可为酒精依赖的治疗提供新的途径。

Alcohol dependence is a chronic relapsing brain disorder of the craving for alcohol caused by alcohol consumption,which has a multifactorial etiology. The epigenetic mechanism in the body is highly stable and influenced by environmental factors,and can explain the phenomenon of addictive memory for months or even years from a unique perspective. The histone modification,DNA methylation and microRNA modification play a central role in alcohol dependence,which combines the epigenetic regulation of gene expression with pathophysiological changes in brain tissue and neurological adaptation. Specific epigenetic modifications present significant alcohol addictive behavioral and electrophysiological changes. Understanding the role of epigenetics in alcohol dependence can provide a new way for the treatment.