Epigenetic mechanisms are increasingly recognized to contribute to the development and function of the central nervous system, and their impairment contributes to neurodevelopmental, neuromuscular and neurodegenerative disorders. As such, active research is ongoing to identify epigenetic biomarkers of these disorders, and both DNA methylation changes and circulating RNAs are increasingly recognized as potential biomarkers to improve diagnosis and to monitor disease status and response to therapeutic interventions. The availability of several compounds targeting histone tail modifications, coupled with RNA interfering techniques and genome editing approaches are currently explored as potential therapeutic tools in these disorders. In addition, active research is devoted to the identification of genetic and environmental factors, as well as early-life events, contributing to the observed impairment of epigenetic mechanisms in neurons.
This Research Topic aims to provide a detailed and updated overview of the epigenetics of neurodevelopmental, neuromuscular and neurodegenerative disorders. Indeed, we welcome research and review articles covering studies in human samples, neuronal cell cultures and animal models of neurodevelopmental, neuromuscular and neurodegenerative disorders. We aim to collect cutting edge basic research articles aimed at identifying epigenetic biomarkers of these disorders, as well as research papers dealing with the potential of therapeutic approaches targeting epigenetic mechanisms in these conditions. Updated reviews on a given disease or a disease category are more than welcome, as well as systematic reviews of the literature or mini-review articles addressing a specific theme. Furthermore, in order to give a complete overview of this topic, we are also interested in articles addressing the contribution of genetic, environmental or early life factors to the epigenetic changes observed in these conditions. This Research Topic is also open to methodological papers as well as papers addressing the clinical utility of epigenetic investigation in these disorders.
Epigenetic mechanisms are increasingly recognized to contribute to the development and function of the central nervous system, and their impairment contributes to neurodevelopmental, neuromuscular and neurodegenerative disorders. As such, active research is ongoing to identify epigenetic biomarkers of these disorders, and both DNA methylation changes and circulating RNAs are increasingly recognized as potential biomarkers to improve diagnosis and to monitor disease status and response to therapeutic interventions. The availability of several compounds targeting histone tail modifications, coupled with RNA interfering techniques and genome editing approaches are currently explored as potential therapeutic tools in these disorders. In addition, active research is devoted to the identification of genetic and environmental factors, as well as early-life events, contributing to the observed impairment of epigenetic mechanisms in neurons.
This Research Topic aims to provide a detailed and updated overview of the epigenetics of neurodevelopmental, neuromuscular and neurodegenerative disorders. Indeed, we welcome research and review articles covering studies in human samples, neuronal cell cultures and animal models of neurodevelopmental, neuromuscular and neurodegenerative disorders. We aim to collect cutting edge basic research articles aimed at identifying epigenetic biomarkers of these disorders, as well as research papers dealing with the potential of therapeutic approaches targeting epigenetic mechanisms in these conditions. Updated reviews on a given disease or a disease category are more than welcome, as well as systematic reviews of the literature or mini-review articles addressing a specific theme. Furthermore, in order to give a complete overview of this topic, we are also interested in articles addressing the contribution of genetic, environmental or early life factors to the epigenetic changes observed in these conditions. This Research Topic is also open to methodological papers as well as papers addressing the clinical utility of epigenetic investigation in these disorders.