Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
7.4
3.5
Journals
Biology
Special Issues
How Epigenetics Shapes the Nervous System
share announcement

How Epigenetics Shapes the Nervous System

A special issue of Biology (ISSN 2079-7737). This special issue belongs to the section "Neuroscience".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 March 2026 | Viewed by 1145

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Andrea Stoccoro

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Medical Genetics Laboratories, Department of Translational Research and of New Surgical and Medical Technologies, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
Interests: neurobiology; neurodegeneration; epigenetic biomarkers; environmental factors
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Epigenetic mechanisms, including DNA methylation, histone modifications, and non-coding RNAs, regulate gene expression, influencing neural differentiation, synaptic remodeling, and cognitive processes. These mechanisms play a crucial role in the development, function, and plasticity of the nervous system. Emerging evidence also links altered epigenetic regulation to neurological disorders, neurodegenerative diseases, and psychiatric conditions, offering novel insights into disease pathogenesis and potential therapeutic strategies. Notably, neurodevelopmental disorders caused by germline mutations in genes encoding epigenetic regulators, known as chromatinopathies, underscore the profound impact of epigenetic mechanisms on central nervous system function.

This Special Issue aims to bring together cutting-edge research and reviews exploring the diverse roles of epigenetic modifications in neural development, function, and disease. We welcome contributions exploring the fundamental mechanisms of neuro-epigenetics and translational research investigating altered epigenetic mechanisms underlying neurological disorders, as well as studies exploring the therapeutic potential of targeting the epigenome. Additionally, we encourage contributions examining the impact of environmental and early-life factors on epigenetic modifications in the nervous system, along with updated reviews and systematic reviews on specific aspects of neuro-epigenetics. By assembling a comprehensive collection of studies, we seek to advance our understanding of how epigenetics shapes nervous system biology and contributes to neuropathology, paving the way for novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Andrea Stoccoro
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Biology is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • nervous system
  • epigenetics
  • DNA methylation
  • histone tail modifications
  • non-coding RNAs
  • neurological disorders
  • neurodegenerative diseases
  • biomarkers
  • environmental epigenetics

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (2 papers)

Download All Papers
Order results
Result details
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

Jump to: Review

22 pages, 1654 KB  
Article
Transgenerational Epigenetic Inheritance of Early-Life Stress from Grand-Dams Through Paternal Gametes: Impaired Social Cognition and Reduced Reactivity to Aversive Predictors in DAT-HET Rats
by Eleonora D’Antonio, Gioia Zanfino, Concetto Puzzo, Micaela Capobianco, Francesco Mannella, Vincenzo De Laurenzi, Giuseppe Curcio and Walter Adriani
Biology 2025, 14(9), 1229; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology14091229 - 9 Sep 2025
Viewed by 212
Abstract
Transgenerational epigenetic inheritance has emerged as a compelling mechanism by which early-life stress can shape behavior in descendants with no direct exposure to trauma. However, whether such heritable modifications affect subtle behavioral phenotypes, like processing of social and emotional stimuli, remains poorly understood. [...] Read more.
Transgenerational epigenetic inheritance has emerged as a compelling mechanism by which early-life stress can shape behavior in descendants with no direct exposure to trauma. However, whether such heritable modifications affect subtle behavioral phenotypes, like processing of social and emotional stimuli, remains poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the behavioral profile of fourth-generation heterozygous dopamine-transporter (DAT-HET) rats. Compared to control (SX) rats, our experimental group (labelled SIKK) consisted of animals (at G4, F3) born from MIK sires (at G3, F2), who descended from grand-dams (at G2, F1) who were in turn exposed to early-life maltreatment by their own DAT-KO mothers (the great-grand-dams, at G1, F0). To probe inhibitory control and social cognition, we employed the signaled licking / avoidance of punishment (SLAP) task, the elicited preference test (EPT), and the social recognition test (SRT). In the SLAP task, SIKK rats exhibited slower acquisition of passive avoidance, suggesting dampened sensitivity to predictive aversive cues. In the EPT, wild-type focal rats displayed a clear preference for SX over SIKK conspecifics, indicating reduced social appeal of epigenetically altered animals. In the SRT, SX rats successfully discriminated between a novel and a familiar DAT-KO conspecific, while SIKK rats failed to do so, revealing impaired social cognition. Together, these findings indicate that, despite the absence of direct trauma in their infancy, SIKK rats exhibit a distinct behavioral phenotype characterized by increased reactivity to threat and deficits in social preferences and cognition. These alterations reflect inherited dysfunctions in limbic dopaminergic circuits, particularly within PFC. Our study highlights how an ancestor’s adversity can shape adaptive behavior in future generations, providing a powerful model for understanding the biological basis of vulnerability to psychiatric disorders. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue How Epigenetics Shapes the Nervous System)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Review

Jump to: Research

22 pages, 1538 KB  
Review
Multi-Faceted Role of Histone Methyltransferase Enhancer of Zeste 2 (EZH2) in Neuroinflammation and Emerging Targeting Options
by Sotirios Moraitis and Christina Piperi
Biology 2025, 14(7), 749; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology14070749 - 23 Jun 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 729
Abstract
Neuroinflammation, a complex nervous system response to brain injury and other pathological stimuli, exhibits a common denominator role in the pathogenesis of neurological disorders and their progression. Among several regulators of neuroinflammation, epigenetic mechanisms with particular emphasis on histone methylation have a prominent [...] Read more.
Neuroinflammation, a complex nervous system response to brain injury and other pathological stimuli, exhibits a common denominator role in the pathogenesis of neurological disorders and their progression. Among several regulators of neuroinflammation, epigenetic mechanisms with particular emphasis on histone methylation have a prominent role by altering the expression of specific genes involved in the onset and progression of neuroinflammation. The Enhancer of Zeste 2 (EZH2) histone lysine methyltransferase is a multi-faceted and context-dependent regulator of immune response and neural cell function, significantly involved in the underlying mechanisms of neuroinflammation, such as inflammatory gene expression, astrocyte function, microglial activation, BBB integrity, and interactions with non-coding RNAs. Herein, we explore the intricate implication of EZH2 activity in the onset of neuroinflammation and associated pathological conditions, and discuss its potential as a therapeutic target. Currently available EZH2 inhibitors with neuroprotective effects are also addressed in an effort to reveal novel strategies for managing neuroinflammatory conditions, and potentially improving neurological health. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue How Epigenetics Shapes the Nervous System)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-2
Back to TopTop