Comorbidity of alcohol use disorder (AUD) and anxiety disorders (ANX) is a major public health problem. The identification of shared mechanisms between these disorders holds promise for developing more effective therapeutic targets. Both AUD and ANX disorders are characterized by long-term neuroadaptations within brain areas involved in regulation of negative affect. Epigenetic mechanisms, which have emerged as important mechanisms for translating environmental stimuli into specific changes in gene expression may be key players in regulating these long-term neuroadaptations. Our research, utilizing animal models that replicate key features of AUD and ANX has demonstrated a role of the epigenetic enzyme PRDM2 in alcohol associated behaviors and fear memory consolidation. This finding suggests that dysregulation of PRDM2 may represent a common mechanism in the comorbidity of AUD-ANX. Currently, using viral vector approaches and RNA sequencing, we are investigating the brain circuits and transcriptomic changes that are regulated by this enzyme. Our aim is to understand how PRDM2 modulates alcohol and anxiety-related behaviors, contributing to a more comprehensive understanding of the interplay between these disorders.
Photo credit Anna Nilsen