Advances in epigenetics and epigenomics for neurodegenerative diseases

Irfan A. Qureshi, Mark F. Mehler

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

69 Scopus citations

Abstract

In the post-genomic era, epigenetic factors - literally those that are "over" or "above" genetic ones and responsible for controlling the expression and function of genes - have emerged as important mediators of development and aging; gene-gene and gene-environmental interactions; and the pathophysiology of complex disease states. Here, we provide a brief overview of the major epigenetic mechanisms (ie, DNA methylation, histone modifications and chromatin remodeling, and non-coding RNA regulation). We highlight the nearly ubiquitous profiles of epigenetic dysregulation that have been found in Alzheimer's and other neurodegenerative diseases.We also reviewinnovativemethods and technologies that enable the characterization of individual epigenetic modifications and more widespread epigenomic states at high resolution. We conclude that, together with complementary genetic, genomic, and related approaches, interrogating epigenetic and epigenomic profiles in neurodegenerative diseases represent important and increasingly practical strategies for advancing our understanding of and the diagnosis and treatment of these disorders.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)464-473
Number of pages10
JournalCurrent neurology and neuroscience reports
Volume11
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2011

Keywords

  • Alzheimer's disease
  • Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
  • Chromatin
  • DNA methylation
  • Epigenetics
  • Epigenomics
  • Histone modification
  • Huntington's disease
  • Neurodegenerative disease
  • Next generation sequencing
  • Non-coding RNA
  • Parkinson's disease

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Neuroscience
  • Clinical Neurology

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