Editing Epigenetics (section)

====Other and general====

In adulthood, changes in the [[epigenome]] are important for various higher cognitive functions. Dysregulation of epigenetic mechanisms is implicated in [[neurodegenerative disorders]] and diseases. Epigenetic modifications in [[neuron]]s are dynamic and reversible.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Hwang JY, Aromolaran KA, Zukin RS | title = The emerging field of epigenetics in neurodegeneration and neuroprotection | journal = Nature Reviews. Neuroscience | volume = 18 | issue = 6 | pages = 347–361 | date = May 2017 | pmid = 28515491 | pmc = 6380351 | doi = 10.1038/nrn.2017.46 }}</ref> Epigenetic regulation impacts neuronal action, affecting learning, memory, and other [[cognitive]] processes.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Grigorenko EL, Kornilov SA, Naumova OY | title = Epigenetic regulation of cognition: A circumscribed review of the field | journal = Development and Psychopathology | volume = 28 | issue = 4pt2 | pages = 1285–1304 | date = November 2016 | pmid = 27691982 | doi = 10.1017/S0954579416000857 | s2cid = 21422752 }}</ref>

Early events, including during [[embryonic development]], can influence development, cognition, and health outcomes through [[epigenetic mechanisms]].<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Bacon ER, Brinton RD | title = Epigenetics of the developing and aging brain: Mechanisms that regulate onset and outcomes of brain reorganization | journal = Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews | volume = 125 | pages = 503–516 | date = June 2021 | pmid = 33657435 | pmc = 8989071 | doi = 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.02.040 }}</ref>

Epigenetic mechanisms have been proposed as "a potential molecular mechanism for effects of endogenous [[hormone]]s on the organization of developing brain circuits".<ref>{{cite book | vauthors = Streifer M, Gore AC | title = Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals | chapter = Epigenetics, estrogenic endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), and the brain | volume = 92 | pages = 73–99 | date = 2021 | pmid = 34452697 | doi = 10.1016/bs.apha.2021.03.006 | isbn = 9780128234662 | series = Advances in Pharmacology | s2cid = 237339845 }}</ref>

[[Nutrients]] could interact with the epigenome to "protect or boost cognitive processes across the lifespan".<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Bekdash RA | title = Choline, the brain and neurodegeneration: insights from epigenetics | journal = Frontiers in Bioscience | volume = 23 | issue = 6 | pages = 1113–1143 | date = January 2018 | pmid = 28930592 | doi = 10.2741/4636 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Ekstrand B, Scheers N, Rasmussen MK, Young JF, Ross AB, Landberg R | title = Brain foods - the role of diet in brain performance and health | journal = Nutrition Reviews | volume = 79 | issue = 6 | pages = 693–708 | date = May 2021 | pmid = 32989449 | doi = 10.1093/nutrit/nuaa091 }}</ref>

A review suggests [[neurobiological effects of physical exercise]] via [[Epigenetics of physical exercise|epigenetics]] seem "central to building an 'epigenetic memory' to influence long-term brain function and behavior" and may even be heritable.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Fernandes J, Arida RM, Gomez-Pinilla F | title = Physical exercise as an epigenetic modulator of brain plasticity and cognition | journal = Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews | volume = 80 | pages = 443–456 | date = September 2017 | pmid = 28666827 | pmc = 5705447 | doi = 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2017.06.012 }}</ref>

With the axo-ciliary [[synapse]], there is communication between [[Serotonin|serotonergic]] [[axon]]s and antenna-like [[primary cilia]] of [[Hippocampus anatomy#Basic hippocampal circuit|CA1]] [[Pyramidal cell|pyramidal]] [[neuron]]s that alters the neuron's [[epigenetic]] state in the [[Cell nucleus|nucleus]] via the signalling distinct from that at the [[plasma membrane]] (and longer-term).<ref>{{cite news | vauthors = Tamim B |title=New discovery: Synapse hiding in the mice brain may advance our understanding of neuronal communication |url=https://interestingengineering.com/science/new-discovery-synapse-hiding-in-mice-brain |access-date=19 October 2022 |work=interestingengineering.com |date=4 September 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Sheu SH, Upadhyayula S, Dupuy V, Pang S, Deng F, Wan J, Walpita D, Pasolli HA, Houser J, Sanchez-Martinez S, Brauchi SE, Banala S, Freeman M, Xu CS, Kirchhausen T, Hess HF, Lavis L, Li Y, Chaumont-Dubel S, Clapham DE | title = A serotonergic axon-cilium synapse drives nuclear signaling to alter chromatin accessibility | language = English | journal = Cell | volume = 185 | issue = 18 | pages = 3390–3407.e18 | date = September 2022 | pmid = 36055200 | pmc = 9789380 | doi = 10.1016/j.cell.2022.07.026 | s2cid = 251958800 }}
* University press release: {{cite news |title=Scientists discover new kind of synapse in neurons' tiny hairs |url=https://phys.org/news/2022-09-scientists-kind-synapse-neurons-tiny.html |access-date=19 October 2022 |work=Howard Hughes Medical Institute via phys.org |language=en}}</ref>

Epigenetics also play a major role in the [[Evolution of the brain#Genetic factors of recent evolution|brain evolution in and to humans]].<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Keverne EB | title = Epigenetics and brain evolution | journal = Epigenomics | volume = 3 | issue = 2 | pages = 183–191 | date = April 2011 | pmid = 22122280 | doi = 10.2217/epi.11.10 }}</ref>