Chromatin accessibility in neuropsychiatric disorders

Epigenetic mechanisms have recently emerged as critical regulators of brain function in health and disease. By controlling the accessibility and the expression of specific genes, these pathways can mediate transient and longlasting changes in neuronal function in both physiological and pathological contexts. Due to the extreme complexity of the epigenetic regulatory landscape, emerging methods that directly assay chromatin accessibility are of particular interest. Here, I review recent insights gained on open and closed chromatin states in the brain, with emphasis on neuropsychiatric disorders. These advances generated an invaluable wealth of information that can help us better understand gene regulation in the brain and its impairments that contribute to the development of disease.

Automated summary

Epigenetic mechanisms play a critical role in regulating brain function by controlling gene accessibility and expression, leading to changes in neuronal function. New methods for directly detecting chromatin accessibility have generated valuable insights. Studying chromatin states in the brain can enhance our understanding of disease development mechanisms.