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Epigenetics and chronic pain
Author(s) -
Stone Laura S
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.2019.33.1_supplement.206.2
Subject(s) - epigenetics , dna methylation , histone , chronic pain , neuroscience , bioinformatics , epigenesis , biology , psychology , medicine , genetics , gene , gene expression
The emerging field of pain epigenetics will be introduced and the potential implications of this new field will be reviewed. Long‐term programming of gene expression is dynamically regulated by chemical modifications to the DNA and histones collectively referred to as epigenetic modifications. Epigenetic changes are responsive to the environment and have long‐lasting biological consequences. For example, early life neglect results in altered DNA methylation in the brain that are associated with maladaptive behavioural patterns in the adult. Evidence of epigenetic dysregulation in pre‐clinical pain models and in individuals with low back pain will be highlighted. Finally, the potential for epigenetics to understand biological mechanisms, to unmask new therapeutic targets and as biomarkers for chronic pain will be discussed. Support or Funding Information Supported by The Canadian Institutes for Health Research, The Quebec Pain Research Network and the Louise and Alan Edwards Foundation. This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal .