The role of epigenetics in the pathophysiology of epilepsy

Epilepsy is a group of heterogeneous diseases sharing a common feature, seizures. Acute seizures can induce neuronal death, massive gliosis, inflammation, and aberrant neurogenesis in the brain. At a molecular level, seizure activity has been shown to mediate epigenetic changes, including DNA methylation, histone modifications, and the recruitment of noncoding RNAs or chromatin-remodeling ATPases. Understanding complex cellular and molecular mechanisms in epilepsy may provide a solid foundation for the development of novel strategies for treating and/or preventing epilepsy. This chapter gives an overview of the seizure-induced cellular alterations in the adult brain and their dysregulation by diverse epigenetic mechanisms in epilepsy.