title: Understanding genetics in neuroimaging.
abstract: Gene expression is a process of DNA sequence reading into protein synthesis. In cases of problems in DNA repair/apoptosis mechanisms, cells accumulate genomic abnormalities and pass them through generations of cells. The accumulation of mutations causes diseases and even tumors. In addition to cancer, many other neurologic conditions have been associated with genetic mutations. Some trials are testing patients with epigenetic treatments. Epigenetic therapy must be used with caution because epigenetic processes and changes happen constantly in normal cells, giving rise to drug off-target effects. Scientists are making progress in specifically targeting abnormal cells with minimal damage to normal ones.
authors.affiliation: Molecular Biology Laboratory, Instituto Estadual do Cérebro Paulo Niemeyer (IECPN), Rua do Resende 156, 2nd Floor, Centro, Rio de Janeiro CEP 20231-092, Brazil. Electronic address: Marina.lipkin@iecpnprosaude.org.br.
authors.forename: Marina Lipkin
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Vasquez
authors.affiliation: DASA, Rua João Borges 120/502, Gavea, Rio de Janeiro CEP 22451-100, Brazil.
authors.forename: Ilana Zalcberg
authors.initials: IZ
authors.lastname: Renault
mesh_terms: D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics*; D023281:Genomics / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D059906:Neuroimaging / Q000379:methods*
keywords: DNA; Genetic diseases; Genome; Mutations