Recent studies show that scientists are finding connections between DNA methylation and its impacts on cognitive aging, as well as neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's. These same studies are giving reason to believe that environmental factors may be responsible for the epigenetic changes often involved in the progression of neurodegenerative diseases. Some of these factors include diets, nutrients, injuries, physical and cognitive exercise and exposure to chemical agents or heavy metals. This relates to Alzheimer’s, since the disease is known to be associated with these same environmental factors. Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is a progressive disease that destroys memory as well as some other important cognitive factors. Many of
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Alzheimer’s is an example of one age-related disease that falls underneath this category, since it is now suggesting that epigenetic modifications could be necessary tools that will help mediate AD progression. Researchers are also finding that epigenetic changes can impact AD onset, meaning genetically, AD would begin its start because of certain epigenetic changes. However, the positioning of certain genes results in demethylation of AD in human test subjects. Recent studies have shown that aspects of DNA methylation are essential to the epigenetic regulation in mammalian nervous systems. The relationship between folate status and cognitive performance might be mediated by changes in methylation capacity, and this is because methylation reactions are important for normal functioning of the brain. One possible mechanism that might explain the involvement of folate status in cognitive performance is DNA methylation, which refers to the “epigenetic modification of gene expression by the addition of methyl groups to cytosine residues in DNA” (Jakovcevski). Studies were conducted in the College of Science and Technology at the Central Michigan University to determine whether or not folic acid played an important role in certain neurodegenerative diseases, those of which involved DNA methylation. These studies were conducted for 3 …show more content…
Scientists found that if there is an epigenetic drift which is age-related, it could affect how susceptible one is to neurodegenerative diseases. “Many rare genetic disorders are increasingly identified in infancy or early childhood. and there is a general consensus across disorders that the average age is getting younger over time” (Fuso). This is because there is a growing knowledge and increased awareness of many more diseases and their genetic modifications. It is possible that age- related drifts in brain epigenomes negatively affect neuronal transcriptomes. This leads to a decline in the signaling capacity of nerve cells, and has been linked to various cognitive disorders of the adult
Alzheimer’s is an example of one age-related disease that falls underneath this category, since it is now suggesting that epigenetic modifications could be necessary tools that will help mediate AD progression. Researchers are also finding that epigenetic changes can impact AD onset, meaning genetically, AD would begin its start because of certain epigenetic changes. However, the positioning of certain genes results in demethylation of AD in human test subjects. Recent studies have shown that aspects of DNA methylation are essential to the epigenetic regulation in mammalian nervous systems. The relationship between folate status and cognitive performance might be mediated by changes in methylation capacity, and this is because methylation reactions are important for normal functioning of the brain. One possible mechanism that might explain the involvement of folate status in cognitive performance is DNA methylation, which refers to the “epigenetic modification of gene expression by the addition of methyl groups to cytosine residues in DNA” (Jakovcevski). Studies were conducted in the College of Science and Technology at the Central Michigan University to determine whether or not folic acid played an important role in certain neurodegenerative diseases, those of which involved DNA methylation. These studies were conducted for 3 …show more content…
Scientists found that if there is an epigenetic drift which is age-related, it could affect how susceptible one is to neurodegenerative diseases. “Many rare genetic disorders are increasingly identified in infancy or early childhood. and there is a general consensus across disorders that the average age is getting younger over time” (Fuso). This is because there is a growing knowledge and increased awareness of many more diseases and their genetic modifications. It is possible that age- related drifts in brain epigenomes negatively affect neuronal transcriptomes. This leads to a decline in the signaling capacity of nerve cells, and has been linked to various cognitive disorders of the adult