The epigenetics of memory storage in the brain.

Abstract

Epigenetics has been proposed as a molecular mechanism involved in encoding long-term memories. Specifically DNA methylation, an epigenetic mechanism thought to be static following cell differentiation, has been implicated as a dynamic transcription regulatory mechanism underlying the process of longterm memory storage. Now recent findings published in Nature Neuroscience explore the possibility that stable DNA methylation changes within the cortex contributes to memory maintenance.