title: Epigenetic mechanisms in Alzheimer's disease: implications for pathogenesis and therapy.
abstract: The vast majority of Alzheimer's disease (AD) are late-onset forms (LOAD) likely due to the interplay of environmental influences and individual genetic susceptibility. Epigenetic mechanisms, including DNA methylation, histone modifications and non-coding RNAs, constitute dynamic intracellular processes for translating environmental stimuli into modifications in gene expression. Over the past decade it has become increasingly clear that epigenetic mechanisms play a pivotal role in aging the pathogenesis of AD. Here, we provide a review of the major mechanisms for epigenetic modification and how they are reportedly altered in aging and AD. Moreover, we also consider how aberrant epigenetic modifications may lead to AD pathogenesis, and we review the therapeutic potential of epigenetic treatments for AD.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, School of Medicine, Qingdao University, China.
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Jin-Tai
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: Meng-Shan
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.forename: Teng
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.forename: Lan
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Tan
mesh_terms: D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D000818:Animals; D019175:DNA Methylation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems / Q000639:trends; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics*; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000235:genetics*; D015316:Genetic Therapy / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans
keywords: Aging; Alzheimer's disease; Epigenetics; Pathogenesis; Therapy