title: Developing epigenetic diagnostics and therapeutics for brain disorders.
abstract: Perturbations in epigenetic mechanisms have emerged as cardinal features in the molecular pathology of major classes of brain disorders. We therefore highlight evidence which suggests that specific epigenetic signatures measurable in central - and possibly even in peripheral tissues - have significant value as translatable biomarkers for screening, early diagnosis, and prognostication; developing molecularly targeted medicines; and monitoring disease progression and treatment responses. We also draw attention to existing and novel therapeutic approaches directed at epigenetic factors and mechanisms, including strategies for modulating enzymes that write and erase DNA methylation and histone/chromatin marks; protein-protein interactions responsible for reading epigenetic marks; and non-coding RNA pathways.
authors.affiliation: Roslyn and Leslie Goldstein Laboratory for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA; Institute for Brain Disorders and Neural Regeneration, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA; Department of Neurology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA; Rose F. Kennedy Center for Research on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA.
authors.forename: Irfan A
authors.initials: IA
authors.lastname: Qureshi
authors.forename: Mark F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Mehler
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy; D019175:DNA Methylation; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D006657:Histones / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D006657:Histones
keywords: bromodomain; epigenomic; exosome; glioma; histone deacetylase; long non-coding RNA; microRNA