Epigenetics on the brain: Modifying chromatin and behaviour

Proper regulation of gene expression is essential for the development and survival of every organ ism. Epigenetic modifications provide a way for cells to regulate gene expression and to propagate expression states heritably through cell division. Given the brain's complexity, it is not surprising that epigenetic regulation is essential for both normal development and maintenance of homoeostasis of this organ. New data suggest that the role of epigenetic regulation in the brain may extend much further, influencing both the ways neurons organize their networks in response to new experiences and the resultant behaviours. Such studies highlight the relevance of epigenetic regulation for neu rodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disease.