an increase in the expression of the lncRNA MALAT1 within multiple brain regions (Kryger, Fan, Wilce, & Jaquet, 2012). Overall expression of lncRNAs may be lower than protein-coding transcripts, but can be dynamically regulated in alcoholic brain tissue (Fig. 11.9). Although the role of lncRNAs on alcohol dependence and drug addiction is still unclear, lncRNAs are known to (1) mediate control of epigenetic factors for regulating gene expression (Khalil et al., 2009; Lee, 2012; Wang et al., 2011), (2) act as endogenous competitors (Cesana et al., 2011), (3) regulate alternative splicing events (Barry et al., 2013; Massone et al., 2011; Tripathi et al., 2010), (4) control neuronal development (Pollard et al., 2006), and (5) guide synaptic plasticity (Bond et al., 2009). These diverse roles make it likely that even low-to-moderate changes in lncRNA expression could significantly impact alcohol use disorders and other psychiatric diseases.
