Epigenetic strategies to treat Alzheimer's disease

Neurodegenerative and Neuropsychiatric diseases such as schizophrenia (SZ), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)  or Alzheimer's disease (AD) are multifactorial and are caused by variable combinations of genetic and environmental risk factors. Epigenetic processes such as DNA-methylation, histone-modifications and the action of non-coding RNAs mediate such genome-environment interactions and help the cell to transmit transient stimuli into long-term adaptive changes that are essential to maintain cellular homeostasis. The same machinery however appears to play a key role in the pathogenesis of the above mentioned diseases. Iwill give an overview on the role of histone-modifications in memory function and during the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric diseases, with a focus on AD. Moreover I will address the question why epigenetic therapeutic strategies are suitable therapeutic strategies and what is needed to translate the current findings into clinical application. In addition to the therapeutic potential of epigenetic drugs I will address the potential of epigenetics for patients stratification and biomarker development.