Astrocytic transcriptional and epigenetic mechanisms of drug addiction

Addiction is a leading cause of disease burden worldwide and remains a challenge in current neuroscience research. Drug-induced lasting changes in gene expression are mediated by transcriptional and epigenetic regulation in the brain and are thought to underlie behavioral adaptations. Emerging evidence implicates astrocytes in regulating drug-seeking behaviors and demonstrates robust transcriptional response to several substances of abuse. This review focuses on the astrocytic transcriptional and epigenetic mechanisms of drug action.

Automated summary

Addiction is a major global disease burden and a challenge in neuroscience research. This review focuses on the transcriptional and epigenetic mechanisms of drug action in astrocytes, highlighting their role in regulating drug-seeking behaviors and their robust transcriptional response to substances of abuse.