Epigenetics in Parkinson's disease

Abstract

Introduction. Parkinson's disease (PD) is an extremely complex, multifactorial neurodegenerative disease with defects of several mechanisms involved in the onset and progression of the disease. DNA methylation, histone changes and altered microRNA expression are being intensively investigated due to their possible involvement in PD. Material and methods. Review of the results of studies on the role of epigenetics in PD published in: -PubMed; -MedScape; -Elsevier. Results. Epigenetic modulation is responsible for inducing differential gene expression, which is essential for regulating neurogenesis and adaptation to the environment. Conclusions. The etiology and pathogenesis of PD is genetically, epigenetically and environmentally conditioned. Genomic and epigenomic discoveries in PD have allowed the development of targeted therapies for maintaining/restoring the epigenetic profile of neurons.