The Therapeutic Potential of Epigenetic Modifications in Alzheimer’s Disease

ABSTRACT

Alzheimer’s disease is characterized by the formation and deposit of abnormal peptides such as amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles in the brain. Therapeutic strategies aimed at preventing the formation of such deposits have not been successful. Currently, there are no effective treatments for the disease. Since numerous epigenetic changes have been detected in Alzheimer’s disease, treatments aimed at reversing these changes by intervening in DNA methylation, histone acetylation, and microRNA expression may constitute promising lines of research in the future. This chapter provides an overview of the epigenetic changes and the potential epigenetic therapies in Alzheimer’s disease.