Brain study increases understanding of what triggers drug use relapse

Brain study increases understanding of what triggers drug use relapse

Research on the biological basis of addiction has found that the critical epigenetic enzyme histone deacetylase 5 (HDAC5) limits the expression of the gene Scn4b, regulating neuronal activity and thereby the formation of strong drug-related memories, which can trigger relapse in individuals with substance use disorders (SUDs). The study, detailing these epigenetic mechanisms in the brain, uncovers a new molecular target for the development of no…