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 in 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.