Understanding epigenetic changes is super important for studying brain diseases. Here’s why:
What Are Epigenetic Changes?
About 70% of human genes are influenced by epigenetic processes, like DNA methylation (adding a chemical tag) and histone modification (changing how DNA is packed).
Connection to Brain Diseases
Research shows that unusual epigenetic changes are linked to brain disorders such as Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) and Parkinson’s Disease (PD). For example, in Alzheimer's, around 50% of the affected genes show different methylation patterns.
New Treatment Possibilities
Studies suggest that drugs that target these epigenetic changes might help improve brain function in mice with Alzheimer’s. In fact, memory performance improved by more than 30% in these studies!
Helping with Early Diagnosis
Finding specific epigenetic markers can help doctors identify problems early. For instance, unusual DNA methylation patterns can indicate a higher risk of developing memory issues up to 10 years before any obvious symptoms appear.
By understanding these processes, we can create ways to lower the risk and slow down the progression of brain diseases.
Understanding epigenetic changes is super important for studying brain diseases. Here’s why:
What Are Epigenetic Changes?
About 70% of human genes are influenced by epigenetic processes, like DNA methylation (adding a chemical tag) and histone modification (changing how DNA is packed).
Connection to Brain Diseases
Research shows that unusual epigenetic changes are linked to brain disorders such as Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) and Parkinson’s Disease (PD). For example, in Alzheimer's, around 50% of the affected genes show different methylation patterns.
New Treatment Possibilities
Studies suggest that drugs that target these epigenetic changes might help improve brain function in mice with Alzheimer’s. In fact, memory performance improved by more than 30% in these studies!
Helping with Early Diagnosis
Finding specific epigenetic markers can help doctors identify problems early. For instance, unusual DNA methylation patterns can indicate a higher risk of developing memory issues up to 10 years before any obvious symptoms appear.
By understanding these processes, we can create ways to lower the risk and slow down the progression of brain diseases.