Taken together, these studies demonstrate that chromatin structure is an important substrate for long-lasting changes in behavioral responses to stress and antidepressant treatments. While the precise signaling mechanisms

by which environmental stresses converge on chromatin are still under investigation (eg, Figure 2), these early studies suggest the exciting possibility that pharmacological manipulation of chromatin remodeling pathways could be a novel approach to new antidepressant development. Concluding remarks Chromatin structure is emerging as a key substrate in the pathogenesis and maintenance of chronic psychiatric illnesses. This is important because novel therapeutics could target Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical chromatin remodeling enzymes or chromatin itself to ultimately block or even reverse, for example, a chronically addicted or depressed state. Ultimately though, the key function of chromatin remodeling is to alter the transcription or the transcriptional Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical potential of genes which BIBR 1532 supplier eventually affect neural function, so any study of chromatin regulation is, in theory, inexorably linked with the study of the underlying gene activity. While extremely exciting, epigenetic research in psychiatry Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical is still in

its infancy, and far more research is needed to identify both the dysregulated genes and chromatin modifications responsible for individual psychiatric diseases. Fortunately, new advances in high- throughput sequencing are enabling such characterization of chromatin regulation and gene expression, genome-wide, at an incredible rate and resolution. Armed with these and other new research tools, epigenetic Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical research in psychiatry

is progressing at a spectacular speed, and may soon prove to be a major avenue for novel therapeutics. Acknowledgments Acknowledgments: Preparation of this review was supported by grants from NIDA and NIMH, and the Medical Scientist Training Program at UT Southwestern Medical Center. Parts of this review Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical were based on ref 8 and ref 51 with permission. The authors declare no conflicts of interest. Selected abbreviations and acronyms BDNF brain derived neurotrophic factor cAMP cyclic adenosine monophosphate CREB cAMP’-response element binding protein H histone HAT histone acetyltransf erase HDAC histone deacetylase HDM histone demethylases HMT histone methyltransferase
While many of today’s cutting-edge Alzheimer’s disease (AD) research programs focus on understanding and targeting the molecular Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase mechanisms underpinning this disease, the ultimate goal for researchers and clinicians is the treatment of dementia, preventing the cognitive decline and loss of quality of life that can be so devastating, not just for the individual, but also for the families so greatly affected by the suffering of a loved one with AD. With a continuously aging population, the number of people with AD is projected to increase by more than 50% by 2030, resulting in a tremendous drain to families, caregivers, and health care systems.