Epigenetic Mechanisms in the Pathophysiology and Progression of Epilepsy: A Comprehensive Review of Experimental and Clinical Studies.

Abstract

Epilepsy is a prevalent neurological disorder that presents with a diverse range of clinical manifestations and etiologies influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. However, traditional genetic mechanisms alone are insufficient to fully elucidate the pathogenesis of epilepsy, highlighting the increasing importance of epigenetics in epilepsy research. Several studies have demonstrated that epigenetic mechanism play a pivotal role in the development and progression of epilepsy. This review provides a comprehensive overview of epigenetic regulation and its role in epilepsy. We emphasize the specific role of epigenetic regulation, including DNA methylation, non-coding RNA, and histone modification in the epilepsy. Finally, we discuss the potential applications of epigenetic regulation in the etiology research, drug development, and personalized therapy of epilepsy, along with the technical and theoretical challenges that need to be addressed in epigenetic research. Epigenetic mechanisms have emerged as a promising avenue for understanding the pathogenesis and treatment of epilepsy. However, to thoroughly grasp its potential implications for the clinical management of this disease, a deeper understanding of the role of epigenetics in TLE is essential. Therefore, further research is required to elucidate the specific epigenetic mechanisms involved in epilepsy, their interactions with other disease-related factors, and their potential as therapeutic targets. Such research could ultimately lead to the development of novel epigenetic-based therapies for epilepsy and other related neurological disorders.