Epigenomic and Noncoding RNA Regulation in Addictive Processes

The phenotypic effects of drugs of abuse are partially mediated by transcriptional and epigenetic regulatory mechanisms. This chapter will provide a brief overview of substance abuse and then focus on the roles of three epigenetic regulatory mechanisms in addictive processes: histone modifications, DNA modifications, and noncoding RNAs. This chapter will conclude with a focus on three other important areas: (1) the potential for long-lasting epigenetic effects due to drugs of abuse, (2) obstacles and opportunities in this scientific area as they pertain to addiction biology, and (3) the potential for translating epigenomic and noncoding RNA discoveries into improvements in human health and the treatment of substance use disorders.