Epigenetic Mechanisms in Brain Physiology and Disorders offers an in-depth exploration of how epigenetic processes influence the brain throughout the human lifespan. From embryogenesis to aging, the book delves into the dynamic ways that DNA methylation and other epigenetic mechanisms regulate genome function and guide the development, maintenance, and adaptation of the nervous system. Readers gain insight into the molecular events underpinning brain physiology and pathology, including how genes are turned on or off in response to environmental cues, and how these changes shape neurodevelopment, cognitive function, and susceptibility to disorders.
The book addresses epigenetic contributions to cell type differentiation and their impact on memory, learning, and neuronal signaling. It also examines the influence of epigenetics on sleep, feeding, metabolism, sex differences, temperature regulation, and cardiovascular health. A significant portion is dedicated to the relationship between epigenetic changes and neuropsychiatric, neurological, and behavioral disorders, emphasizing current advancements in diagnostics and therapeutics that utilize epigenetic markers and interventions to improve patient outcomes.
1. Introduction. Epigenetic mechanisms in brain function.
2. Evolution of epigenetic landscapes during pre and postnatal brain
development and aging.
3. The role of DNA methylation and stepwise oxidation of 5 methylcytosine in
epigenetic regulation of gene expression in the brain.
4. Learning and memory.
5. Stress and the HPA axis
6. Metabolic homeostasis
7. Puberty and sexual behavior
8. Body Temperature and thermal regulation
9. The role of epigenetic mechanism in the neuroimmune axis
10. The impact of genetic alterations in epigenetic proteins on brain
disorders.
11. Epigenetic processes in neurodevelopmental disorders (RETT syndrome,
Autism)
12. Linking early adversity epigenetics and neuropsychiatric disorders
(psychosis)
13. Epigenetic processes in substance abuse, and behavioral addictions
14. Epigenetic processes in neurological diseases Alzheimer, Parkinson
disease, Parkinson, ALS
15. Epigenetic mechanisms in chronic pain
16. Early life adversity trauma and PTSD linked by epigenetic mechanisms
17. Epigenetic mechanisms in brain aging, cognitive decline and dementia
18. Methodological challenges in epigenome wide associations with
neuropsychiatry and behavioraldisorders
19. Animal models with construct validity for studying epigenetic processes
in neurobehavior
20. Using epigenetic editing and to examine the role of site specific DNA
methylation and oxidationalterations in neuroepigenetics.
21. Methods for dissecting cell neuron/glia/astrocyte specific patterns of
methylationIPSC stem cells derived neuronal precursor cells to model in vitro
the role of DNA methylation in the nervous system and brain disorders
Dr. Szyf received his Ph.D. from the Hebrew University and did his postdoctoral fellowship in Genetics at Harvard Medical School, joined the McGill University in 1989 and currently holds a James McGill Professorship and GlaxoSmithKline-CIHR Chair in Pharmacology. He is the founding co-director of the Sackler Institute for Epigenetics and Psychobiology at McGill and is a Fellow of the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research Experience-based Brain and Biological Development program. Dr. Szyf has been the founder of the first Pharma” to develop epigenetic pharmacology Methylgene Inc.” and the first journal in epigenetics Epigenetics.” Szyf lab has proposed two decades ago that DNA methylation is a prime therapeutic target in cancer and other diseases and has postulated and provided the first set of evidence that the social environment” early in life can alter DNA methylation launching the emerging field of social epigenetics.” Zsofia Nemoda is an assistant professor at Semmelweis University in Budapest Hungary. She is a member of the Hungarian Biochemical Association, the International Society of Psychiatric Genetics, and the Hungarian Society of Human Genetics. She has 41 articles published in international journals with a cumulative impact factor of 168 and independent citations of 1139. In 2023 & 2024 she was affiliated the Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Montreal, Canada working with Dr. Linda Booij.
