Differential regulation of gene expression in Alcohol dependence

• Applicant: Dr. Susanne Edelmann
• Subject Area: Biological Psychiatry
• Term: since 2023
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 526278210

Alcohol dependence (AD) is a complex and severe disorder that contributes substantially to the global burden of disease. A complex interaction between genetic risk alleles and environmental stimuli plays a role in mediating the susceptibility to this addiction. Evidence is emerging that gene expression regulated by epigenetic mechanisms plays an important role in the biological mechanisms underlying AD. Therefore, RNA sequencing is planned to study the effects of AD and its therapy on the level of gene expression. By investigating the transcriptome from whole blood of a cohort of 180 individuals, we aim to identify differentially expressed genes between AD patients and healthy control individuals at the beginning of treatment as well as following a three-week inpatient withdrawal treatment program. Validation experiments at both time points will be performed in a cohort of 250 AD patients and 236 control individuals. Furthermore, gene co-expression networks will be identified and correlated with AD and therapy response. Interesting gene candidates will be analyzed for their DNA methylation levels to allow conclusions about their potential epigenetic regulation. In this project, we aim to study the effects of AD and the therapy of this disorder on the level of gene expression including the influence of epigenetic regulation. The identified genes could not only contribute to the biological processes underlying AD, these data could also be a first step to facilitate the identification of biomarkers for treatment outcome, which will be of great value to clinicians in terms of prevention and treatment development.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants