Investigation of Epigenetic Mechanism in Alcohol Use Disorder Patients Investigation of Epigenetic Mechanism in Alcohol Use Disorder Patients

3030Purpose: The purpose of this study is to evaluate altered regional histone deacetylase (HDAC) expression (density and distribution) in Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) patients and age- and sex-matched healthy controls, using [11C]Martinostat as a PET radiotracer. We aim to measure HDAC density and distribution in the brain of AUD patients. We will test the hypothesis that HDAC enzyme expression is altered in AUD brains. We will take advantage of a combined PET/MRI system to collect simultaneous PET and structural MRI to obtain high-resolution spatial maps. This will address fundamental questions about chromatin modifying enzymes in vivo in a way that has not been possible until now. HDACs are a family of epigenetic enzymes that regulate gene expression in the human brain by chemically modifying chromatin, a fundamental network of proteins and DNA in chromosomal structure. HDACs drive chromatin changes in response to life experience and the environment. Research from diverse disciplines supports the hypothesis that HDAC dysfunction can lead or contribute to brain disease, including AUD. HDAC expression in the brain has been evaluated by groups investigating the molecular mechanisms underlying bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, major depression, Alzheimer’s disease, and AUD. Despite the preclinical evidence of HDAC and epigenetic dysregulation in AUD, limited investigation of the underlying processes and mechanisms relevant to AUD presents a significant knowledge gap betw...
Source: Journal of Nuclear Medicine - Category: Nuclear Medicine Authors: Tags: Technologist Posters Source Type: research