Earlier work has found that alcohol abuse is associated with widespread changes in gene expression in the PFC of human brain [12]–[14]. Differentially expressed genes form functional groups implicated in immune response, cell survival, inflammation, signal transduction and energy production. Pronounced differences have been found in genes involved in myelination, protein trafficking, apoptosis and neurogenesis [12]–[14]. Re-programming of gene expression in chronic alcoholics apparently involves transcription factors that are responsive to the primary effects of ethanol, and that regulate multiple pathways leading to neuropathology and neuronal dysfunctions.
