Neuroepigenomics and Human Disease

There has been explosive growth in epigenetic research of the nervous system. Epigenetic regulatory processes are believed to mediate mechanisms through which environmental factors exert lifelong changes in the brain and its behavioral output. There is also the possibility that certain types of epigenetic modifications are passed onto offspring and influence their functioning through mechanisms that remain poorly understood. We provide a broader context for these neuroepigenomic questions by highlighting the range of epigenetic mechanisms that are employed by mammalian organisms and current technical challenges in their characterization, and how they contribute to understanding neurological and psychiatric diseases based on studies in animal models and humans. Although the field of neuroepigenomics holds considerable promise, major technical advances are needed to exploit the evolving knowledge for improved understanding of disease pathogenesis and improved therapeutics.