The Investigation of MicroRNA Expression Levels in Postmortem Nucleus Accumbens of the Individuals with 6-MAM-Confirmed Heroin-Associated Polysubstance İntoxication: A Case Control Study
MOLECULAR NEUROBIOLOGY, vol.63, no.1, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Publication Type: Article / Article
- Volume: 63 Issue: 1
- Publication Date: 2026
- Doi Number: 10.1007/s12035-026-06092-4
- Journal Name: MOLECULAR NEUROBIOLOGY
- Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, BIOSIS, Chemical Abstracts Core, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Natural Science Collection (ProQuest), Biological Science Database (ProQuest), Biomedical Reference Collection: Corporate Edition (EBSCO), Health Research Premium Collection (ProQuest), Pharma Collection (ProQuest)
- Istanbul University Affiliated: Yes
Abstract
MicroRNAs, small noncoding RNA molecules, are pivotal regulators of gene expression and have been increasingly implicated in the molecular mechanisms underlying addiction. In this study, we investigated microRNA expression profiles in postmortem nucleus accumbens tissue, a key brain region for reward and addiction, from individuals with 6-monoacetylmorphine confirmed heroin-associated polysubstance intoxication (6-MAM-HAPI) (n = 20) compared with non-user individuals (n = 20). Total RNA was isolated from the tissues with "RNAzol (R) RT," and cDNA was obtained and measured by qRT-PCR. MicroRNA expression levels were calculated by the 2-Delta Delta CT method. Our study revealed a distinct pattern of dysregulation, with downregulation of miR-132, miR-140, miR-181a, miR-206, miR-212, and miR-339-5p, alongside a significant upregulation of miR-133b in nucleus accumbens of 6-MAM-HAPI. These findings provide preliminary postmortem evidence suggesting possible miRNA expression changes in the nucleus accumbens in the context of 6-MAM-HAPI.