Psychoactive substances and DNA methylation / 中国药理学通报

ABSTRACT

Psychoactive substances abusing may induce neuron-specific adaptation and lead to physical and psychological dependence.Moreover,psychoactive substances have toxicological actions to cause physical damages.It has been reported that DNA methylation,acting as an epigenetic modification,may be one of the mechanisms involved in these adaptive changes and physical damages.This review shows a general introduction to the molecular mechanism of DNA methylation,and expounds the pharmacological and toxicological effects of some psychoactive substances on DNA methylation,including ethanol,methamphetamine,morphine,and cocaine.