[Epigenetic changes in alcohol addiction and therapeutic perspectives].
Annales pharmaceutiques francaises – January 01, 2025
Source: PubMed
Summary
Adolescents with Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) may benefit from innovative treatments targeting epigenetics. Evidence shows that epidrugs, which modify DNA and histone structures, could offer a promising alternative to traditional therapies. In animal studies, significant changes were observed across various ages, suggesting that the effects of alcohol on the epigenome are profound. With 20% of adults struggling with AUD, integrating psychedelics into treatment could enhance recovery by addressing underlying genetic factors, potentially revolutionizing how alcohol dependence is managed.
Abstract
Alcohol consumption is a major public health issue. Patients with Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) can benefit from five treatments that preferentially target membrane receptors, and whose efficacy is generally modest. However, a large body of experimental evidence points to an important role for epigenetics in the effects of alcohol consumption, and epidrugs that modify the epigenome offer an interesting alternative to current therapeutic options. This article reviews the most striking experimental evidence obtained at different ages in animal models, before comparing it with data obtained in humans and concluding on the relevance of using epidrugs. Finally, a new therapeutic option is suggested between psychedelics, recent molecules of interest, and epigenetic factors in alcohol intake.