Epigenetic memory: the Lamarckian brain

Abstract

Recent data support the view that epigenetic processes play a role in memory consolidation and help to transmit acquired memories even across generations in a Lamarckian manner. Drugs that target the epigenetic machinery were found to enhance memory function in rodents and ameliorate disease phenotypes in models for brain diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, Chorea Huntington, Depression or Schizophrenia. In this review, I will give an overview on the current knowledge of epigenetic processes in memory function and brain disease with a focus on Morbus Alzheimer as the most common neurodegenerative disease. I will address the question whether an epigenetic therapy could indeed be a suitable therapeutic avenue to treat brain diseases and discuss the necessary steps that should help to take neuroepigenetic research to the next level.

HDAC1 links early life stress to schizophrenia-like phenotypes

“…In addition to genetic predisposition, environmental factors, such as urbanicity (7), obstetric complications (8), or exposure to early life stress (ELS) (9,10), are known to increase the risk of developing schizophrenia. Such genome-environment interactions are mediated by epigenetic processes, including DNA methylation (DNAme) or histone modifications (11). Especially the role of histone acetylation has gained substantial interest in translational neuroscience, which is due to the fact that inhibitors of histone deacetylases (HDACs) enhance cognitive function and ameliorate pathogenesis in a number of neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric diseases (12,13).…”

HDAC inhibitor–dependent transcriptome and memory reinstatement in cognitive decline models

“…Epigenetic processes, including posttranslational modifications of histones, regulate gene-expression programs and play a key role in genome-environment interactions (1,2). Recent data suggest that histone acetylation regulates memory consolidation and may contribute to cognitive decline associated with neurodegenerative diseases (2)(3)(4)(5).…”

“…Recent data suggest that histone acetylation regulates memory consolidation and may contribute to cognitive decline associated with neurodegenerative diseases (2)(3)(4)(5). Histone acetylation is regulated by the counteracting activity of histone acetyltransferases (HATs) and histone deacetylases (HDACs).…”

“…Histone acetylation is regulated by the counteracting activity of histone acetyltransferases (HATs) and histone deacetylases (HDACs). Recent can improve memory function in rodents (2). Various HDACi have been developed that show different activity toward the 11 zinc-dependent HDACs encoded in the mammalian genome (6).…”

Epigenetics And Nutrition

“…Therapeutic efficacy has been observed for Alzheimer's disease, Schizophrenia and depression in animal models [62]. Evaluation of HDAC inhibitors in a murine model of the cyclin-dependent kinas 5 activator p25 protein reinstated learning behavior and synaptic plasticity even after severe neuronal loss [63].…”