Histone and DNA Methylome in Neurodegenerative, Neuropsychiatric and Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Abstract

Genome-environment interaction and epigenome plasticity significantly influence the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric disorders. Recent advancements in the field to study genome wide chromatin modifications provide a comprehensive view of the epigenome. Dysregulation of epigenetic machinery has emerged as a major genetic driver of neuro developmental and neuro degenerative disorders, intellectual disabilities and autism spectrum disorders. Emerging evidences point to the involvement of the epigenome in the onset and progression of Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and Huntington’s disease. This review focusses on the changes in epigenetic machinery, specifically on the histone methylation and DNA methylation patterns during the onset and progression of neurodegenerative diseases and neuropsychiatric disorders. The power of epigenetic inhibitors to function as potential diagnostic and therapeutic markers is also discussed.