From genetics to epigenetics: Alcohol addiction

Alcohol addiction is a chronic, relapsing disorder with a huge societal impact. Understanding the genetic basis of alcohol addiction is crucial to characterize individuals' risk and to develop efficacious prevention and treatment strategies. Recent studies have also begun to focus on the molecular mechanisms and epigenetics of alcohol addiction. Changes in gene expression in brain reward regions are thought to contribute to the pathogenesis and persistence of drug addiction. Data from classical genetic studies to new epigenetic studies could show us new dimensions of alcohol addiction. Data from genetic studies also guide pharmacotherapeutic agent choice for optimum treatment of alcohol addiction. In this review, we examined the Pubmed database, using alcoholism, genetics, epigenetics and polymorphism key words and than discussed results of studies. (Anatolian Journal of Psychiatry 2009; 10:239-245)