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. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2016 Jun 1.
Published in final edited form as: Alcohol. 2015 Apr 24;49(4):351–357. doi: 10.1016/j.alcohol.2015.04.003

Fig. 1. Influence of clock genes in the development of stress-induced alcohol use and abuse.

Fig. 1

Clock genes are expressed in all mesocorticolimbic brain areas as well as in the HPA stress axis. Their expression displays daily rhythmic patterns that vary with the region and is thought to modulate the daily rhythm of neurotransmitter release or cell activity and metabolism. Alteration of clock genes has shown to potentiate alcohol use and abuse and to influence the development of other substance-use disorders. Taking into account their close relationship with the HPA axis, the glucocorticoid system, and the development of various SUD, they thus represent a potential key integrative gene × environment factor between stress and SUD.