I have a long track record of NIH funding and publications related to alcohol abuse. Specifically, I am interested in combining neuroimaging, epigenetic, pharmacological, and clinical perspectives to develop more effective intervention and preventions strategies. Recently, we have focused on epigenetic and inflammatory mechanisms. Our most recent studies suggest that the neuroadaptations in that reward circuits that characterize alcohol dependence, and addiction more generally, may be driven by epigenetic changes in specific genes. Thus, medications that target epigenetic changes may mitigate some of the deleterious changes in reward circuits and represent a new strategy for the treatment of alcohol dependence. In a similar line of research, it is becoming increasing clear that inflammatory processes that result from alcohol abuse may damage important executive control circuits, ultimately contributing to loss of control over alcohol use. Thus, anti-inflammatory medications may also have a place in the treatment of alcohol dependence.
