EPIGENETIC REGULATION OF GENE EXPRESSION IN NEURODEGENERATIVE DISEASES

Abstract

Epigenetic regulation, encompassing DNA methylation, histone modification, chromatin remodeling, and non-coding RNA activity, has become a fundamental paradigm in understanding the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases. Unlike genetic mutations, epigenetic mechanisms govern gene expression dynamically, integrating environmental signals and cellular stress to determine neuronal health or degeneration. Recent studies demonstrate that aberrant epigenetic modifications contribute to the onset and progression of Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis by altering neuronal gene networks, synaptic function, and neuroinflammatory pathways. This paper explores how epigenetic dysregulation disrupts neuronal homeostasis, identifies methodological advances in epigenomic analysis, and discusses potential therapeutic interventions aimed at restoring normal gene expression. The findings highlight epigenetic regulation as both a cause and a therapeutic target in combating neurodegeneration, emphasizing the importance of precision epigenetic medicine for future neurobiological research.