title: Epigenetic Regulation of Memory-Therapeutic Potential for Disorders.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Memory is a vital function which declines in different physiological and pathological conditions such as aging and neurodegenerative diseases. Research in the past has reported that memory formation and consolidation require the precise expression of synaptic plasticity genes. However, little is known about the regulation of these genes. Epigenetic modification is now a well established mechanism that regulates synaptic plasticity genes and neuronal functions including memory. Therefore, we have reviewed the epigenetic regulation of memory and its therapeutic potential for memory dysfunction during aging and neurological disorders.
  
  
  METHODS
  Research reports and online contents relevant to epigenetic regulation of memory during physiological and pathological conditions have been compiled and discussed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Epigenetic modifications include mainly DNA methylation and hydroxymethylation, histone acetylation and methylation which involve chromatin modifying enzymes. These epigenetic marks change during memory formation and impairment due to dementia, aging and neurodegeneration. As the epigenetic modifications are reversible, they can be modulated by enzyme inhibitors leading to the recovery of memory.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Epigenetic modifications could be exploited as a potential therapeutic target to recover memory disorders during aging and pathological conditions.
authors.affiliation: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Laboratory, Brain Research Centre, Department of Zoology, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221 005, India.
authors.forename: Padmanabh
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.affiliation: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Laboratory, Brain Research Centre, Department of Zoology, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221 005, India.
authors.forename: Sweta
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Srivas
authors.affiliation: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Laboratory, Brain Research Centre, Department of Zoology, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221 005, India.
authors.forename: M K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Thakur
mesh_terms: D000107:Acetylation; D000818:Animals; D019175:DNA Methylation / Q000187:drug effects; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D006657:Histones; D006801:Humans; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D006657:Histones
keywords: DNA methylation; Enzyme inhibitors; Gene expression; Histone acetylation; Histone methylation; Memory