Podcast
Questions and Answers
What effect does prenatal stress have on cocaine responsiveness in offspring?
What effect does prenatal stress have on cocaine responsiveness in offspring?
- It increases their cocaine responsiveness. (correct)
- It has no effect on cocaine responsiveness.
- It decreases their cocaine responsiveness.
- It only affects the mother's response to cocaine.
How does cocaine exposure in fathers affect their male offspring?
How does cocaine exposure in fathers affect their male offspring?
- It leads to delayed acquisition of self-administration. (correct)
- It has no impact on the offspring's drug responses.
- It results in decreased craving for drugs in offspring.
- It enhances drug-seeking behavior immediately.
What role does BDNF play in the context of cocaine self-administration?
What role does BDNF play in the context of cocaine self-administration?
- It increases the likelihood of relapse.
- It enhances cocaine cravings.
- It regulates plasticity and suppresses cocaine self-administration. (correct)
- It has no known function in addiction.
What type of epigenetic change is observed in the amygdala of prenatally stressed animals?
What type of epigenetic change is observed in the amygdala of prenatally stressed animals?
What is one proposed mechanism for persistent drug-induced cravings and relapse?
What is one proposed mechanism for persistent drug-induced cravings and relapse?
What potential treatment strategy is suggested to help prevent relapse in drug-addicted individuals?
What potential treatment strategy is suggested to help prevent relapse in drug-addicted individuals?
Which statement best describes the role of genetic factors in addiction vulnerability?
Which statement best describes the role of genetic factors in addiction vulnerability?
What is the function of HDAC inhibitors in relation to drug exposure?
What is the function of HDAC inhibitors in relation to drug exposure?
What effect does chronic cocaine exposure have on histone acetylation?
What effect does chronic cocaine exposure have on histone acetylation?
How does nicotine function as an HDAC inhibitor in the context of cocaine addiction?
How does nicotine function as an HDAC inhibitor in the context of cocaine addiction?
What role does early life stress play in addiction according to the discussed studies?
What role does early life stress play in addiction according to the discussed studies?
Which gene expression increases are associated with nicotine pretreatment and subsequent cocaine exposure?
Which gene expression increases are associated with nicotine pretreatment and subsequent cocaine exposure?
What impact does an environment with drug cues have on an individual's behavioral response to drugs?
What impact does an environment with drug cues have on an individual's behavioral response to drugs?
What is the relationship between drug exposure and neuroplasticity in the context of addiction?
What is the relationship between drug exposure and neuroplasticity in the context of addiction?
Study Notes
Epigenetics and Addiction Overview
- Drug addiction is viewed as maladaptive neuroplasticity in response to repeated drug exposure.
- Vulnerability to addiction involves both genetic and non-genetic factors, split evenly between them.
Interacting Possibilities of Epigenetic Change
- Three primary influences leading to epigenetic changes: drugs, environmental factors, and parental addiction history.
- The aberrant learning hypothesis links to HDAC (histone deacetylase) activation, causing persistent long-term memory of drug cues, which become reinforcing.
Influence of Drugs on Epigenetics
- Cocaine induces significant epigenetic changes, notably through increased histone acetylation.
- Both nicotine and cocaine act as HDAC inhibitors, strengthening memories formed during drug use.
Nicotine's Role as a Gateway Drug
- Nicotine pre-treatment leads to cross-sensitization to cocaine.
- This effect includes heightened FosB gene expression associated with neuroplasticity and increased histone acetylation at the FosB promoter.
- Overall elevated acetylated H3 protein and lowered HDAC levels enhance cocaine’s effects.
Environmental Impact on Epigenetic Changes
- Epigenetic modifications in the Nucleus Accumbens (NAc) occur with all abused substances.
- Short-term histone acetylation boosts behavioral responses to drugs, such as locomotor activity in response to cocaine.
Early Life Stress and Addiction
- Prenatal stress can cause epigenetic alterations impacting future addiction responses.
- Pregnant dams under stress give rise to offspring with heightened behavioral responses to cocaine and prolonged self-administration behaviors.
Impact of Drug Use in Parents on Offspring
- Paternal cocaine self-administration affects male offspring's cocaine acquisition timing.
- Increased BDNF (Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor) in mPFC (medial prefrontal cortex) indicates open chromatin status, enhancing plasticity and contributing to increased histone acetylation.
Epigenetics and Drug Memory
- The aberrant learning theory elucidates the formation of strong associations between drugs and cues, which endure during abstinence.
- Drug cues can trigger cravings, heightening the risk of relapse, mediated by durable epigenetic changes.
Treatment Possibilities
- Gene therapy targeting BDNF modulation presents potential avenues for preventing relapse by addressing underlying epigenetic factors.
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Description
Explore the intricate relationship between epigenetics and drug addiction. This quiz delves into how genetic and environmental factors contribute to vulnerability in individuals, and examines the mechanisms by which repeated drug exposure leads to neuroplastic changes. Enhance your understanding of the aberrant learning hypothesis and its implications.
