Inter-/transgenerational effects of cocaine: A review of the literature

The prevalence of substance abuse is increasing, particularly among individuals of reproductive age. There is a growing body of evidence suggesting that parental substance abuse before and during pregnancy can have an impact on their offspring, potentially leading to mental health issues and an increased susceptibility to addiction later in life. However, our understanding of this phenomenon remains limited due to the complexity of these studies. It is crucial to gain a better understanding of the effects of substance abuse on future generations. This review will examine existing data, primarily in rodents, regarding the potential transmission of these effects via epigenetic changes to offspring, with a specific focus on cocaine. This field of study is still emerging, and significant research is required. Larger studies are neces- sary to confirm the reported findings and to comprehensively assess the extent of epigenetic modifications. The causal link has yet to be definitively established. (c) 2024 l'Acad & eacute;mie nationale de m & eacute;decine. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.