Para-sagittal MRI of the head in a patient with benign familial macrocephaly.Neurodegenerative<unk>  are a heterogeneous group of complex disorders linked by the degeneration of neurons in either the peripheral nervous system or the central nervous system. Their underlying causes are extremely variable and complicated by various genetic and/or environmental factors. These<unk>  cause progressive deterioration of the neuron resulting in decreased signal transduction and in some cases even neuronal death. Peripheral nervous system<unk>  may be further categorized by the type of nerve cell (motor, sensory, or both) affected by the disorder. Effective treatment of these<unk>  is often prevented by lack of understanding of the underlying molecular and genetic pathology. Epigenetic therapy is being investigated as a method of correcting the expression levels of misregulated genes in<unk><unk> .<unk><unk>  of motor neurons can cause degeneration of motor neurons involved in voluntary muscle control such as muscle contraction and relaxation. This article will cover the epigenetics and treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). See the Motor Neuron Fact Sheet for details regarding other motor neuron<unk> .<unk><unk>  of the central nervous system can affect the brain and/or spinal cord. This article will cover the epigenetics and treatment of Alzheimer’s<unk> (AD), Huntington’s<unk> (HD), and Parkinson’s<unk> (PD). These<unk>  are characterized by chronic and progressive neuronal dysfunction, sometimes leading to behavioral abnormalities (as with PD), and, ultimately, neuronal death, resulting in dementia.<unk><unk>  of sensory neurons can cause degeneration of sensory neurons involved in transmitting sensory information such as hearing and seeing. The main group of sensory neuron<unk>  are hereditary sensory and autonomic neuropathies (HSAN) such as HSAN I, HSAN II, and Charcot-Marie-Tooth Type 2B (CMT2B). Though some sensory neuron<unk>  are recognized as<unk> , epigenetic factors have not yet been clarified in the molecular pathology.
Epigenetics of neurodegenerative diseases
Epigenetics of cocaine addiction
Human genetic enhancement
Human genetics
Genetics of aging
Human biology
Neurodiversity
Epigenetics of schizophrenia