Neurodegeneration and epigenetics: A review

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Epigenetics
• Genomics

Background:

• Neuronal function is regulated by genome and epigenome, with environmental factors influencing epigenetic changes.
• Dysregulation of both genome and epigenome leads to neurodegeneration.
• Epigenetic modifications are implicated in memory and various neurodegenerative disorders.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate diverse epigenome alterations in neuronal cells across different neurodegenerative disorder models.
• To understand the impact of epigenetic modifications on neurodegenerative diseases and memory.
• To explore therapeutic strategies targeting epigenetic dysregulation.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of epigenome alterations in neuronal cells from model organisms.
• Examination of epigenetic modifications including chromatin modification, DNA methylation, and regulatory RNAs (miRNA).
• Review of current therapeutic approaches and their limitations.

Main Results:

• Observed various epigenome alterations in neuronal cells linked to neurodegenerative disorders.
• Identified significant impact of epigenetic modifications on Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Huntington's diseases.
• Noted unique neuroepigenetic patterns in Prion Disease.

Conclusions:

• Epigenetic modifications are crucial in neurodegenerative disorders and memory function.
• Current epigenetic drugs targeting histone deacetylases and DNA methyltransferases have limitations in targeted delivery and cytotoxicity.
• Future therapeutic development should prioritize targeted, non-cytotoxic epigenetic drugs for neurodegenerative diseases.