A Cross-Species Study of DNA Methylation in Alzheimer's Disease Dementia

A major focus of Alzheimer's disease research is to identify genetic factors that may increase the risk of developing the disease. In addition to examining specific genes that increase risk, researchers are also studying other types of unique genetic information. The epigenome, for example, is a record of chemical modifications that can turn genes'on'; or'off'; in response to their environment or disease state. Scientists now suspect that in people with Alzheimer's disease, these modifications may become altered in ways that contribute to disease progression. This chemical modification of genetic material (DNA) is known as epigenetics. One way in which DNA is modified is by the addition of a chemical methyl group – a process called methylation. DNA methylation may be involved in many normal brain processes, including learning and memory. More research is needed to determine if alterations in the methylation of genes that are important for memory may contribute to Alzheimer's disease.