Critical appraisal and systematic review of genes linked with cocaine addiction, depression and anxiety

Shradhha Kaushik; Faraz Ahmad; Sunita Choudhary; Darin Mansor Mathkor; Bhartendu Nath Mishra; Vineeta Singh; Shafiul Haque

doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105270

Critical appraisal and systematic review of genes linked with cocaine addiction, depression and anxiety

Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2023 Sep:152:105270. doi: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105270. Epub 2023 Jun 3.

Authors

Shradhha Kaushik¹, Faraz Ahmad², Sunita Choudhary¹, Darin Mansor Mathkor³, Bhartendu Nath Mishra¹, Vineeta Singh⁴, Shafiul Haque⁵

Affiliations

¹ Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Engineering and Technology, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Technical University, Lucknow 226021, Uttar Pradesh, India.
² Department of Biotechnology, School of Bio-Sciences and Technology (SBST), Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore 632014, India.
³ Research and Scientific Studies Unit, College of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences, Jazan University, Jazan 45142, Saudi Arabia.
⁴ Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Engineering and Technology, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Technical University, Lucknow 226021, Uttar Pradesh, India. Electronic address: vscdri@gmail.com.
⁵ Research and Scientific Studies Unit, College of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences, Jazan University, Jazan 45142, Saudi Arabia; Gilbert and Rose-Marie Chagoury School of Medicine, Lebanese American University, Beirut, Lebanon; Centre of Medical and Bio-Allied Health Sciences Research, Ajman University, Ajman, the United Arab Emirates. Electronic address: shafiul.haque@hotmail.com.

PMID: 37271299
DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105270

Abstract

Recent lifestyle changes have resulted in tremendous peer pressure and mental stress, and increased the incidences of chronic psychological disorders; like addiction, depression and anxiety (ADA). In this context, the stress-tolerance levels vary amongst individuals and genetic factors play prominent roles. Vulnerable individuals may often be drawn towards drug-addiction to combat stress. This systematic review critically appraises the relationship of various genetic factors linked with the incidences of ADA development. For coherence, we focused solely on cocaine as a substance of abuse in this study. Online scholarly databases were used to screen pertinent literature using apt keywords; and the final retrieval included 42 primary-research articles. The major conclusion drawn from this systematic analysis states that there are 51 genes linked with the development of ADA; and 3 (BDNF, PERIOD2 and SLC6A4) of them are common to all the three aspects of ADA. Further, inter-connectivity analyses of the 51 genes further endorsed the central presence of BDNF and SLC6A4 genes in the development of ADA disorders. The conclusions derived from this systematic study pave the way for future studies for the identification of diagnostic biomarkers and drug targets; and for the development of novel and effective therapeutic regimens against ADA.

Keywords: Anxiety; Cocaine addiction; Depression; Genes; Psychological disorders.

Publication types

Systematic Review
Review

MeSH terms

Anxiety / genetics
Anxiety Disorders
Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / genetics
Cocaine*
Cocaine-Related Disorders* / genetics
Depression / genetics
Humans
Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins

Substances

Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor
Cocaine
SLC6A4 protein, human
Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins