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Molecular Insights into Addiction
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Molecular Insights into Addiction

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Neurobiology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 October 2025 | Viewed by 1370

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Aleksandra Suchanecka

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Independent Laboratory of Behavioural Genetics and Epigenetics, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Powstańców Wielkopolskich 72 St., 70-111 Szczecin, Poland
Interests: substance use disorder; genetics; neuroscience; biostatistics
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Jolanta Chmielowiec

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Collegium Medicum, University of Zielona Góra, 28 Zyty St., 65-046 Zielona Góra, Poland
Interests: abuse; epidemiology; nurseries; psychiatry; dopamine
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Addiction is a complex condition influenced by genetic, neurobiological, and molecular factors. Recent studies have identified specific genes and neurotransmitter systems, particularly the dopamine system, as key players in addiction. Critical brain regions, such as the ventral tegmental area, nucleus accumbens, and prefrontal cortex, are involved in the stages of addiction: binge/intoxication, withdrawal/negative affect, and preoccupation/anticipation. These regions undergo significant neuroplastic changes during addiction, affecting reward processing, motivation, and stress responses. Understanding the molecular pathways behind these processes, including how psychoactive substances alter the brain's reward systems, is essential in comprehending the underlying mechanisms of addiction. This comprehensive approach is crucial in advancing our knowledge of the complexities of addiction.

The aim for this Special Issue is to bring together the most recent developments and state-of-the-art research works in molecular insights into addiction.

Suitable topics include, but are not limited to, genetics, epigenetics, neurobiological mechanisms, molecular pathways, biostatistical methods, and animal and human studies.

Dr. Aleksandra Suchanecka
Dr. Jolanta Chmielowiec
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Molecular Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. There is an Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal. For details about the APC please see here. Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • addiction
  • dependence
  • neurobiology
  • reward
  • neuroplasticity
  • biostatistics

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

13 pages, 904 KB  
Article
Independence of Peripheral Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor from Depression and Anxiety Symptoms in Cocaine Use Disorder: An Initial Description
by Dannia M. Islas-Preciado, Ruth Alcalá-Lozano, Erika P. Aguilar-Velazquez, Yvonne G. Flores-Medina, Nelly M. Vega-Rivera, Erika Estrada-Camarena, Ruben Carino-Escobar, Jorge J. González-Olvera and Erik D. Morelos-Santana
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(17), 8294; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26178294 - 27 Aug 2025
Viewed by 390
Abstract
Cocaine use disorder (CUD) presents high comorbidity with mood symptoms that impair recovery processes and facilitate relapses. Peripheral brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is negatively correlated with mood symptoms in depressive disorders. However, whether a correlation exists between BDNF and mood in CUD is [...] Read more.
Cocaine use disorder (CUD) presents high comorbidity with mood symptoms that impair recovery processes and facilitate relapses. Peripheral brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is negatively correlated with mood symptoms in depressive disorders. However, whether a correlation exists between BDNF and mood in CUD is still unknown. Thus, in this cross-sectional study, we explored the potential relationship between peripheral BDNF levels and depression and anxiety symptoms in CUD. Serum peripheral BDNF was determined by the ELISA method. Standardized Hamilton Depression (HDRS) and Anxiety (HARS) inventories were administered. Twenty-nine seeking-treatment CUD participants under stable medication (female = 3) were enrolled. According to the mood severity, 34.48% of participants were classified as normal, 24.14% as moderate, and 41.38% as severe symptoms (p < 0.001). Peripheral BDNF was similar between the different mood severity groups (p > 0.05). No correlation between BDNF and HDRS and BDNF and HARS was detected regardless of the severity of mood symptoms (p > 0.05). Different from what has been observed in depressive disorders, independence between peripheral BDNF levels and mood symptoms in CUD was observed. This finding suggests a singular, intricate regulation of peripheral BDNF and mood as part of CUD-related maladaptations that might disrupt the expected antidepressant response and perpetuate mood symptoms in CUD. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Insights into Addiction)
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20 pages, 377 KB  
Article
Exploring the Relationship Between Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Haplotype Variants, Personality, and Nicotine Usage in Women
by Dominika Borowy, Agnieszka Boroń, Jolanta Chmielowiec, Krzysztof Chmielowiec, Milena Lachowicz, Jolanta Masiak, Anna Grzywacz and Aleksandra Suchanecka
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(15), 7109; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26157109 - 23 Jul 2025
Viewed by 553
Abstract
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is associated with nicotine use behaviours, the intensity of nicotine cravings, and the experience of withdrawal symptoms. Given the established influence of sex, brain-derived neurotrophic factor variants, personality traits and anxiety levels on nicotine use, this study aimed to [...] Read more.
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is associated with nicotine use behaviours, the intensity of nicotine cravings, and the experience of withdrawal symptoms. Given the established influence of sex, brain-derived neurotrophic factor variants, personality traits and anxiety levels on nicotine use, this study aimed to conduct a comprehensive association analysis of these factors within a cohort of women who use nicotine. The study included 239 female participants: 112 cigarette users (mean age = 29.19, SD = 13.18) and 127 never-smokers (mean age = 28.1, SD =10.65). Study participants were examined using the NEO Five-Factor Inventory and the State–Trait Anxiety Inventory. Genotyping of rs6265, rs10767664, and rs2030323 was performed by real-time PCR using an oligonucleotide assay. We did not observe significant differences in the distribution of either genotype or allele of rs6265, rs10767664 and rs2030323 between groups. However, compared to the never-smokers, cigarette users scored significantly lower on the Agreeableness (5.446 vs. 6.315; p = 0.005767; dCohen’s = 0.363; η2 = 0.032) and the Conscientiousness (5.571 vs. 6.882; p = 0.000012; dCohen’s = 0.591; η2= 0.08) scales. There was significant linkage disequilibrium between all three analysed polymorphic variants—between rs6265 and rs10767664 (D′ = 0.9994962; p < 2.2204 × 10−16), between rs6265 and rs2030323 (D′ = 0.9994935; p < 2.2204 × 10−16) and between rs10767664 and rs20330323 (D′ = 0.9838157; p < 2.2204 × 10−16), but the haplotype association analysis revealed no significant differences. While our study did not reveal an association between the investigated brain-derived neurotrophic factor polymorphisms (rs6265, rs10767664 and rs2030323) and nicotine use, it is essential to acknowledge that nicotine dependence is a complex, multifactorial phenotype. Our study expands the current knowledge of BDNF ’s potential role in addictive behaviours by exploring the understudied variants (rs10767664 and rs2030323), offering a novel contribution to the field and paving the way for future research into their functional relevance in addiction-related phenotypes. The lower Agreeableness and Conscientiousness scores observed in women who use nicotine compared to never-smokers suggest that personality traits play a significant role in nicotine use in women. The observed relationship between personality traits and nicotine use lends support to the self-medication hypothesis, suggesting that some women may initiate or maintain nicotine use as a coping mechanism for stress and negative affect. Public health initiatives targeting women should consider personality and psychological risk factors in addition to biological risks. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Insights into Addiction)
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