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Epigenetic convergence in the rising tide of opioid overdose deaths

Molecular Psychiatry volume 27, pages 2638–2639 (2022)Cite this article

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The Original Article was published on 17 March 2022

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The danger of fentanyl and its analogs makes understanding developmental pathways for opioid use disorder and opioid overdose, which are targetable with prevention or therapy, more imperative. Unfortunately, the relationship between these interlocking parts is poorly understood. Why do most opioid-exposed people maintain a healthy relationship with them, instead of progressing to an opioid use disorder? Why do others enter an inescapable downward spiral that eventually results in their death? What are the factors (genetic and epigenetic, nature and nurture) that might provide clues to long-term healing for individuals and society? A new paper sheds light on underlying gene regulatory networks relevant to these questions [4].

While the cases studied are from heroin overdoses, which have been in decline, the findings are even more today urgent amidst more deadly synthetic, modern opioids like fentanyl.

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Fig. 1: Epidemic on the rise.
Fig. 2: Decisive epigenetic variation in opioid overdosed neurons.

References

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Health and Human Services, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI, USA

    Cameron F. Hays

  2. Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA

    Berkley E. Gryder

Authors
  1. Cameron F. Hays
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  2. Berkley E. Gryder
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BG and CH conceived of and co-wrote the manuscript. BG analyzed data and prepared figures.

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Correspondence to Berkley E. Gryder.

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The authors declare no competing interests.

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Hays, C.F., Gryder, B.E. Epigenetic convergence in the rising tide of opioid overdose deaths. Mol Psychiatry 27, 2638–2639 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41380-022-01517-7

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