[This research] suggests an entirely new route by which alcohol directly affects the brain via the ACSS2 enzyme and causes alcohol-related learning. Targeting this route could eventually aid in treating alcohol use disorder (AUD) and fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS).

PHILADELPHIA (PRWEB)
October 23, 2019

EpiVario, Inc., an early-stage drug discovery and development company, today announced results published in Nature, co-authored by the co-founders of EpiVario, which showed that alcohol consumption directly influences epigenetic regulation essential to memory formation. Through this metabolic route to epigenetic regulation, the studied animals showed preference for alcohol when exposed to environmental cues to consume alcohol; and when this metabolic route was blocked, this preference was eliminated.

The underlying study was conducted at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and was led by Co-Founder Shelley Berger, PhD, Daniel S. Och University Professor and Director of the Penn Epigenetics Program, and Co-Founder Philipp Mews, PhD, who is now a postdoctoral fellow at The Friedman Brain Institute at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York.

The research used isotopically-labeled alcohol and advanced mass spectrometry to track where the alcohol, and its breakdown products, go in the body and the brain. By doing so, metabolized alcohol was discovered to rapidly impact histone acetylation in the hippocampus – the learning and memory center of the brain – by directly depositing alcohol-derived acetyl groups onto histones via an enzyme called acetyl-CoA synthetase 2 (ACSS2).

Previous research conducted in the Berger lab, and led by Dr. Mews, found that ACSS2 is a key metabolic enzyme that works directly within the nucleus of neurons to turn genes on when new memories are being established.

“Our team in the Berger lab had previously discovered that ACSS2 ‘fuels’ a whole new machinery of gene expression ‘on-site’ in the nucleus of brain cells to turn on key memory genes after learning,” said Dr. Mews of the work that was published in a 2017 Nature paper. “We learned then that the metabolic factor ACSS2 is needed to lay down new memories.”

Combined with the results of the current study, this suggests an entirely new route by which alcohol directly affects the brain via the ACSS2 enzyme and causes alcohol-related learning. Targeting this route could eventually aid in treating alcohol use disorder (AUD) and fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS).

Memories associated with alcohol consumption are a primary driver of alcohol use disorder. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, the disorder affects 15.1 million people in the United States alone, with the cost of alcohol misuse hovering at $250 billion.

“To our knowledge, this data provides the first empirical evidence indicating that a portion of the chemicals called acetate derived from alcohol metabolism directly influences epigenetic regulation in the brain,” said Dr. Berger. “The team was surprised to find that metabolized alcohol is directly used by the body to add acetyl groups to the proteins that package DNA, called histones, which is a key component in the memory formation process.”

In the current study, mice were exposed to neutral and alcohol reward spaces in designated compartments of their living environment to better understand how memories of alcohol-associated cues can affect behavior. The mice were allowed to roam free and researchers recorded the amount of time spent in either compartment. Mice with normal ACSS2 activity in their brains spent more time in the alcohol compartment. However, when ACSS2 in the brain was reduced, their preference for the alcohol compartment was not favored over the neutral compartment.

“This is significant because in alcohol use disorders, memory of alcohol-associated cues is a primary driver of craving and relapse, even after prolonged periods of abstinence,” said Dr. Mews. “Our latest findings establish a direct link between alcohol metabolism and histone acetylation in the hippocampus, indicating that translational treatment strategies that target this metabolic-epigenetic nexus may pave the way for novel therapeutic interventions for alcohol use and other neuropsychiatric disorders.”

The study also looked at the effects of alcohol consumption on developing mice by examining pregnant mice. After exposing the pregnant mice to ‘binge-drinking’ levels of alcohol, researchers identified deposits of alcohol-derived acetyl-groups onto histones in the fetal brains. These findings could eventually support the treatment and prevention of fetal alcohol syndrome, a cause of postnatal developmental disorders.

Thomas Kim, President and CEO of EpiVario, expressed the excitement over this data, saying, “The results further show the importance of ACSS2 as a target for preventing the storage of unwanted memories, in this case the cravings for alcohol triggered by environmental cues.”

EpiVario exclusively licensed the intellectual property related to this work from the University of Pennsylvania. In addition to their current work on the development of a treatment for AUD, EpiVario is also developing a small molecule therapeutic for PTSD.

About EpiVario, Inc.

EpiVario is an early-stage drug discovery and development company that targets a wide range of memory-related psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, Alzheimer’s, and alcohol and drug addiction. The Company’s novel approach targets memory formation at the source of the disease, preventing the creation and reconsolidation of traumatic memories. Core to EpiVario is administering its drug in conjunction with psychotherapy, where a negative or traumatic memory is intentionally re-lived, with the goal of disassociating the stress linked to the original traumatic event. EpiVario is a startup company originally founded at the Penn Center for Innovation. For more information visit http://www.epivario.com.

Share article on social media or email:

Board-Certified Oral Surgeon, Dr. Aaron Quitmeyer, Offers Harrisonburg, VA Sedation Dentistry

Dr. Quitmeyer takes every effort to make surgical treatment as safe, comfortable, and pain-free as possible with sedation services…

HARRISONBURG, Va. (PRWEB)
October 23, 2019

Board-certified oral surgeon, Dr. Aaron Quitmeyer, helps patients ease dental anxiety and fear with custom sedation dentistry at his Harrisonburg, VA practice. Dr. Quitmeyer takes every effort to make surgical treatment as safe, comfortable, and pain-free as possible with sedation services, including nitrous oxide, oral and IV sedation, and general anesthesia.

Patients with dental anxiety are often too fearful to undergo necessary dental treatment. Due to the nature of many oral and maxillofacial procedures, most patients feel apprehension about complex treatments such as wisdom teeth extraction, jaw surgery, and dental implant placement. In these circumstances, sedation dentistry plays a key role in helping patients feel calm and comfortable enough to receive treatment. Plus, it provides optimal pain control during surgery.

Dr. Quitmeyer offers a comprehensive range of sedation dentistry services at his practice, Shenandoah Oral and Facial Surgery, including nitrous oxide, oral sedation, IV sedation, and general anesthesia. Nitrous oxide, also known as “laughing gas”, is good for patients with mild anxiety, putting them in a comfortable, relaxed state. For moderate anxiety, oral sedation is anti-anxiety medication taken in pill form before a procedure, putting patients in a drowsy, calm state. IV sedation, a helpful option for patients with high anxiety, is administered intravenously and has amnesic effects. Though patients remain conscious and responsive during IV sedation treatments, they have no recollection of the treatment. General anesthesia is controlled unconsciousness for patients with severe phobias or those needing intense surgical treatment. General anesthesia is typically only available at hospitals, but because of Dr. Quitmeyer’s education and expertise, he is able to administer it in office.

Dr. Quitmeyer has undergone advanced training in anesthesia and sedation and is certified to provide all levels of sedation dentistry comfortably at his modern practice. With expertise in the full scope of oral and maxillofacial surgery, he and his team provide the ideal setting for patients needing sedation dentistry. When comfortably sedated, patients can receive treatment like dental implant placement, jaw surgery, bone grafting, and more to restore ideal dental health, oral function, and facial aesthetics.

Patients with anxiety or phobia about undergoing dental surgery can benefit from sedation dentistry at Dr. Quitmeyer’s Harrisonburg, VA practice. Consultations with the oral surgeon can be made by calling 540-433-1751 or visiting http://www.shenandoahofs.com.

About the Practice

Shenandoah Oral and Facial Surgery offers oral and maxillofacial surgical care to the greater Shenandoah Valley. A board-certified oral surgeon, Dr. Aaron Quitmeyer serves a full scope of oral surgical treatments. Always welcoming, he and his team emphasize patient education, encouraging each patient to feel empowered to choose the right care for them. Implementing the latest technology every step of the way, they offer custom oral surgical treatments including wisdom teeth extractions, jaw surgery, dental implants and full mouth reconstructions to restore health, function and aesthetics. Dr. Quitmeyer is proud to call the Shenandoah Valley his home after a rewarding 10-year career in the United States Navy Dental Corps. To learn more about Dr. Quitmeyer, his practice, or the services they offer, visit http://www.shenandoahofs.com or call their office in Harrisonburg, VA at 540-433-1751.

Share article on social media or email:

“It’s a power-packed leadership and networking session for women,” says Meechelle Parker of Great Lakes WBC’s Indianapolis office.

INDIANAPOLIS (PRWEB)
October 23, 2019

More than a business buzzword, disruption at its best can mean innovation that sets a new bar for competition and success. Anne Aristeo Martinelli, chief strategy officer at Aristeo Construction, the largest certified woman-owned construction business in the nation, will keynote “Transforming Disruptive Innovation into a Competitive Advantage,” taking place Wednesday, Oct. 30 at Hilton Garden Inn Indianapolis/South Greenwood.

Organized by Great Lakes Women’s Business Council (Great Lakes WBC), the event brings current and aspiring women business owners together to learn and share ideas on capitalizing on disruptive innovation to achieve business success. In addition to Martinelli’s talk on innovation and leadership, the event features a panel discussion with local certified Women Business Enterprises (WBEs) who are disruptive in their industries and willing to share their stories and wisdom to help encourage other women toward innovation, disruption and success.

“Women Who Broke the Mold” panelists include Marcia Barnes of Valve+Meter Performance Marketing, Thresette Briggs of Performance 3 LLC, Carol Curran of Phoenix Data Corporation and Jennifer Wiese of BeeFree LLC. Charlotte Westerhaus-Renfrow of Indiana University Kelley School of Business will serve as emcee.

“Transforming Disruptive Innovation into a Competitive Advantage” is open to the public and runs from 8:30 a.m. until noon. An interactive afternoon session from 1 until 4 p.m. features a workshop on “Brand Fuel for Disruptive Growth” with Richard Gripp of Ignite LLC. All are welcome to attend this portion. The afternoon also offers the opportunity for certified WBEs to connect with corporate members at Corporate Communications, as they share keys to building business alliances and long-term strategies.

“It’s a power-packed leadership session for women to learn, engage, network and share strategies for success,” says Meechelle Parker, Indiana WBE/corporate member services manager at Great Lakes WBC in Indianapolis.

The event is a program of Great Lakes WBC’s execWE initiative, which focuses on crucial leadership skills needed by women business owners, and is offered in partnership with NAWBO-Indianapolis. Sponsors include Cummins, Honda, Indiana University, Toyota and Vectren.

Hilton Garden Inn Indianapolis/South Greenwood is located at 5255 Noggle Way in Indianapolis.

The $75 cost includes breakfast and refreshments. Register by Oct. 28 at greatlakeswbc.org/execwe or contact mparker@greatlakeswbc.org for more information.

About Great Lakes Women’s Business Council (Great Lakes WBC):

Founded in 1984 by executive director Michelle Richards, the nonprofit Great Lakes WBC is a champion for women, minority and small business owners, providing access to capital and corporate procurement opportunities, WBE certification and small business training. Great Lakes WBC represents more than 1300 WBEs, generating approximately $12.4 billion in annual revenue, employing 58,500 U.S. workers, and working with 95 corporate partners in a range of industry sectors. In addition, Great Lakes WBC has supported more than 11,000 small businesses with training and counseling, created 1800 jobs and provided $7 million in microloans. For more information, visit greatlakeswbc.org.

Share article on social media or email: