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Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy =... Jan 2024Drug addiction is a complex disease affected by numerous genetic and environmental factors. Brain regions in reward pathway, neuronal adaptations, genetic and epigenetic... (Review)
Review
Drug addiction is a complex disease affected by numerous genetic and environmental factors. Brain regions in reward pathway, neuronal adaptations, genetic and epigenetic interactions causing transcriptional enhancement or repression of multiple genes induce different addiction phenotypes for varying duration. Addictive drug use causes epigenetic alterations and similarly epigenetic changes induced by environment can promote addiction. Epigenetic mechanisms include DNA methylation and post-translational modifications like methylation, acetylation, phosphorylation, ubiquitylation, sumoylation, dopaminylation and crotonylation of histones, and ADP-ribosylation. Non-coding RNAs also induce epigenetic changes. This review discusses these above areas and stresses the need for exploring epidrugs as a treatment alternative and adjunct, considering the limited success of current addiction treatment strategies. Epigenome editing complexes have lately been effective in eukaryotic systems. Targeted DNA cleavage techniques such as CRISPR-Cas9 system, CRISPR-dCas9 complexes, transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs) and zinc-finger nucleases (ZFNs) have been exploited as targeted DNA recognition or anchoring platforms, fused with epigenetic writer or eraser proteins and delivered by transfection or transduction methods. Efficacy of epidrugs is seen in various neuropsychiatric conditions and initial results in addiction treatment involving model organisms are remarkable. Epidrugs present a promising alternative treatment for addiction.
Topics: Humans; Epigenomics; Histones; DNA Methylation; Epigenesis, Genetic; Substance-Related Disorders
PubMed: 38043446
DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115951 -
International Journal of Molecular... May 2024Dopamine is a key neurotransmitter involved in physiological processes such as motor control, motivation, reward, cognitive function, and maternal and reproductive... (Review)
Review
Dopamine is a key neurotransmitter involved in physiological processes such as motor control, motivation, reward, cognitive function, and maternal and reproductive behaviors. Therefore, dysfunctions of the dopaminergic system are related to a plethora of human diseases. Dopamine, via different circuitries implicated in compulsive behavior, reward, and habit formation, also represents a key player in substance use disorder and the formation and perpetuation of mechanisms leading to addiction. Here, we propose dopamine as a model not only of neurotransmission but also of neuromodulation capable of modifying neuronal architecture. Abuse of substances like methamphetamine, cocaine, and alcohol and their consumption over time can induce changes in neuronal activities. These modifications lead to synaptic plasticity and finally to morphological and functional changes, starting from maladaptive neuro-modulation and ending in neurodegeneration.
Topics: Humans; Dopamine; Animals; Substance-Related Disorders; Neuronal Plasticity; Synaptic Transmission
PubMed: 38791331
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25105293 -
The Psychiatric Clinics of North America Dec 2023This review summarizes treatments for cannabis use disorder (CUD) in adolescents. The best supported CUD treatments are cognitive behavioral psychotherapies, including... (Review)
Review
This review summarizes treatments for cannabis use disorder (CUD) in adolescents. The best supported CUD treatments are cognitive behavioral psychotherapies, including family-based models that facilitate environmental changes and youth-focused models that incorporate skills training, motivational interviewing, and contingency management to promote reductions in cannabis use. Some medications show promise in reducing cannabis craving and withdrawal symptoms. Further research is needed on the efficacy and implementation of existing treatments given the changes in cannabis use trends over time and on emerging technologies that may expand access to evidence-based CUD treatments.
Topics: Humans; Adolescent; Cannabis; Marijuana Abuse; Substance-Related Disorders; Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; Craving
PubMed: 37879838
DOI: 10.1016/j.psc.2023.03.004 -
International Review of Psychiatry... 2023
Topics: Humans; Addiction Medicine; Substance-Related Disorders; Education, Medical
PubMed: 38299648
DOI: 10.1080/09540261.2023.2285938 -
Critical Care Nursing Clinics of North... Dec 2023Substance use disorders are increasing in the growing older adult population in the U.S. and abroad. Most interventions fail to account for the unique physical and... (Review)
Review
Substance use disorders are increasing in the growing older adult population in the U.S. and abroad. Most interventions fail to account for the unique physical and psychosocial risk factors associated with substance use disorder. The older adult makes up a large portion of ICU admits and it is imperative to identify appropriate methods of prevention and treatment in this patient population. Important components of substance use disorder assessment and treatment in the older ICU patient were identified from the literature. Increased morbidity related to age-related conditions, pharmacologic concerns, withdrawals, and stigma were identified as essential items to consider when caring for the older ICU patient with substance use disorder.
Topics: Humans; Aged; Substance-Related Disorders; Risk Factors; Critical Care
PubMed: 37838419
DOI: 10.1016/j.cnc.2023.06.004 -
Genes Nov 2023Trauma in childhood and adolescence has long-term negative consequences in brain development and behavior and increases the risk for psychiatric disorders. Among them,... (Review)
Review
Trauma in childhood and adolescence has long-term negative consequences in brain development and behavior and increases the risk for psychiatric disorders. Among them, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) during adolescence illustrates the connection between trauma and substance misuse, as adolescents may utilize substances to cope with PTSD. Drug misuse may in turn lead to neuroadaptations in learning processes that facilitate the consolidation of traumatic memories that perpetuate PTSD. This reflects, apart from common genetic and epigenetic modifications, overlapping neurocircuitry engagement triggered by stress and drug misuse that includes structural and functional changes in limbic brain regions and the salience, default-mode, and frontoparietal networks. Effective strategies to prevent PTSD are needed to limit the negative consequences associated with the later development of a substance use disorder (SUD). In this review, we will examine the link between PTSD and SUDs, along with the resulting effects on memory, focusing on the connection between the development of an SUD in individuals who struggled with PTSD in adolescence. Neuroimaging has emerged as a powerful tool to provide insight into the brain mechanisms underlying the connection of PTSD in adolescence and the development of SUDs.
Topics: Humans; Adolescent; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic; Substance-Related Disorders; Brain; Neuroimaging; Drug Misuse
PubMed: 38136935
DOI: 10.3390/genes14122113 -
Journal of Travel Medicine Jun 2024Drug tourism reflects the expanding illicit drug market, posing health risks in unfamiliar travel settings. Existing knowledge specifically addressing substance use... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Drug tourism reflects the expanding illicit drug market, posing health risks in unfamiliar travel settings. Existing knowledge specifically addressing substance use among international travellers is sparse and has not been reviewed to date. This review aimed to describe the recreational substance abuse in international travellers.
METHODS
A literature search was conducted on PubMed, Google Scholar and Scopus using keywords related to recreational substances and international travellers. A total of 11 021 articles were reviewed, charted and summarized for the evidence on prevalence, patterns and characteristics of substance abuse and their health- and non-health-related problems on international travellers.
RESULTS
A total of 58 articles were included. Most were cross-sectional studies and review articles. In total, 20 articles addressed the prevalence of substance abuse in travellers, 33 looked at characteristics and patterns of substance abuse in travellers and 39 investigated the health- and non-health-related problems from substance abuse. Estimated prevalence of recreational substances abuse varied from 0.7% to 55.0%. Rates of substances abuse were 9.45-34.5% for cannabis, 20.4-35.9% for alcohol intoxication, 2.82-40.5% for MDMA, 2-22.2% for cocaine, 2-15% for psychedelic agents and 2% for methamphetamine. The prevalence varied according to travellers' characteristics and travel destinations. Direct health problems included neuropsychiatric problems. Indirect problems included accident and unintentional injuries, crime and violence, risky sexual behaviours and sexual violence and blood-borne infections. Non-health-related problems included air rage, deportation and violation of local laws.
CONCLUSION
Substance abuse among international travellers is an underestimated problem that requires intervention. These findings emphasize the importance of addressing this issue to mitigate both health and well-being problems among travellers whilst promoting safer and more responsible travel experiences. In the context of travel health practices, practitioners should counsel travellers whose itineraries may include substance abuse, informing them about associated risks and consequences.
Topics: Humans; Substance-Related Disorders; Recreational Drug Use; Travel; Prevalence; Illicit Drugs; Tourism; Cross-Sectional Studies
PubMed: 38236178
DOI: 10.1093/jtm/taae012 -
International Journal of Molecular... Oct 2023'Drug abuse' has been recognized as one of the most pressing epidemics in contemporary society. Traditional research has primarily focused on understanding how drugs... (Review)
Review
'Drug abuse' has been recognized as one of the most pressing epidemics in contemporary society. Traditional research has primarily focused on understanding how drugs induce neurotoxicity or degeneration within the central nervous system (CNS) and influence systems related to reward, motivation, and cravings. However, recent investigations have increasingly shifted their attention toward the detrimental consequences of drug abuse on the blood-brain barrier (BBB). The BBB is a structural component situated in brain vessels, responsible for separating brain tissue from external substances to maintain brain homeostasis. The BBB's function is governed by cellular interactions involving various elements of the 'neurovascular unit (NVU),' such as neurons, endothelial cells, astrocytes, pericytes, and microglia. Disruption of the NVU is closely linked to serious neurodegeneration. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the harmful effects of psychostimulant drugs on the BBB, highlighting the mechanisms through which drugs can damage the NVU. Additionally, the review proposes novel therapeutic targets aimed at protecting the BBB. By understanding the intricate relationships between drug abuse, BBB integrity, and NVU function, researchers and clinicians may uncover new strategies to mitigate the damaging impact of drug abuse on brain health.
Topics: Humans; Endothelial Cells; Brain; Blood-Brain Barrier; Central Nervous System; Substance-Related Disorders
PubMed: 37894832
DOI: 10.3390/ijms242015154 -
American Journal of Clinical Dermatology Mar 2024Recreational drug use is increasingly common in the dermatology patient population and is often associated with both general and specific mucocutaneous manifestations.... (Review)
Review
Recreational drug use is increasingly common in the dermatology patient population and is often associated with both general and specific mucocutaneous manifestations. Signs of substance use disorder may include changes to general appearance, skin, and mucosal findings associated with particular routes of drug administration (injection, insufflation, or inhalation) or findings specific to a particular drug. In this review article, we provide an overview of the mucocutaneous manifestations of illicit drug use including cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin, hallucinogens, marijuana, and common adulterants to facilitate the identification and improved care of these patients with the goal being to connect this patient population with appropriate resources for treatment.
Topics: Humans; Cocaine; Heroin; Methamphetamine; Recreational Drug Use; Substance-Related Disorders
PubMed: 38217568
DOI: 10.1007/s40257-023-00835-y -
Journal of Neural Transmission (Vienna,... May 2024Addiction is a leading cause of disease burden worldwide and remains a challenge in current neuroscience research. Drug-induced lasting changes in gene expression are... (Review)
Review
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.
Topics: Humans; Epigenesis, Genetic; Astrocytes; Substance-Related Disorders; Animals; Transcription, Genetic
PubMed: 37940687
DOI: 10.1007/s00702-023-02716-4