in dendritic spines attenuates formation of long-term memory due to impairment of dendritic growth and remodeling (Schratt, 2009; Eipper-Mains et al., 2011), it might suggest that the observed alcohol upregulation of these synapse-localized miRNAs could have a major impact in the development of new addiction-promoting, long-term memories. Hence, early or accelerated upregulation of alcohol-responsive miRNAs in the brain might preempt development of addiction and could represent a potential therapeutic strategy.
