A region of the brain known as the amygdala is normally activated when people perceive fear and anger in others. This region, which is part of the limbic system, conveys the message to other regions of the brain to prepare oneself for what may be a threatening situation. We’ve seen previous research that offers an epigenetic … Continue reading DNA Methylation Could Explain How People Respond to Fear and Anger
Smoking Cigarettes Stamps Harmful Epigenetic Fingerprint on DNA
Not only does cigarette smoke severely harm the body, it also leaves behind long-lasting damage on DNA, according to a recent study. An unwanted surplus of chemical marks are added to specific spots on the genome of a smoker, which may give rise to diseases such as a cancer, cardiovascular and lung disorders, and osteoporosis. … Continue reading Smoking Cigarettes Stamps Harmful Epigenetic Fingerprint on DNA
Low-Cal Diet Could Change Epigenetic Patterns in Obesity-Related Disease
Obesity is a disease characterized by excessive body fat. It can be caused by environment, a person’s early-life nutrition, and it can even be a result of their parent’s diet. Obesity is so dangerous because associated with many diseases such as hypertension, type-2 Diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. How does extra weight cause so many different problems? Many studies … Continue reading Low-Cal Diet Could Change Epigenetic Patterns in Obesity-Related Disease
Gauge Your Age: Epigenetics and the Future of Medicine
Why do some people stay healthy throughout their lives and others don’t? While we all age, we don’t all age in the same ways or at the same rate. Epigenetic modifications are largely responsible for this phenomenon, with DNA methylation being the most studied modification. An Epigenetic Clock is a sophisticated way of tracking our “real” age by measuring methylation or demethylation at particular DNA … Continue reading Gauge Your Age: Epigenetics and the Future of Medicine
A Heart Attack May Leave Long-Lasting Epigenetic Marks on DNA
A heart attack could leave behind more than just physical damage, according to a new study. Suffering from myocardial infarction, or a heart attack, may lead to the storage of epigenetic marks on certain genes. Researchers from Uppsala University reported in Human Molecular Genetics that an epigenetic “memory” of a heart attack may stick around on DNA … Continue reading A Heart Attack May Leave Long-Lasting Epigenetic Marks on DNA
Exercise May Offset Drinking’s Harmful Epigenetic Effect on the Brain
Drinking alcohol on a regular basis, even in moderation, can cause damage to the brain. Physical activity, however, has been reported to protect cognitive function. So, could exercise counteract drinking’s harmful effects on the brain? In a recent study conducted at the University of Louisville School of Medicine in Louisville, KY, a group of researchers decided to … Continue reading Exercise May Offset Drinking’s Harmful Epigenetic Effect on the Brain
Histone Demethylation Plays a Role in Turning Stem Cells into Blood Vessel Cells
How stem cells become specific cell types is an intricate process, yet understanding the mechanisms that trigger this process may well prove to be beneficial for use in repairing and regenerating tissue. In a recent study, scientists at the University of Illinois at Chicago investigated the molecular mechanism, histone demethylation, and how it plays an essential role … Continue reading Histone Demethylation Plays a Role in Turning Stem Cells into Blood Vessel Cells
Cancer Genes May Have Been Epigenetically Silenced Over Time
The factors contributing to the development of cancer in an individual are often complex and varied. Sometimes they are more straightforward, like when someone carries a specific gene known to indicate cancer risk; for example, specific mutations of BRCA1 or BRCA2 are linked to breast cancer. But usually, these risk factors are not so directly observable, making cancer … Continue reading Cancer Genes May Have Been Epigenetically Silenced Over Time
The Epigenetics of Honeybee Memory Offers a Glimpse Into Our Own Minds
The fascinating memory of a honeybee could give us hints about our own long-term memory formation, scientists suggest. According to a new study, epigenetic marks are added to the DNA of honeybees in a response to an enzyme known as DNA methyltransferase (Dmnt) and removed in response to a Dnmt inhibitor drug. This epigenetic mechanism … Continue reading The Epigenetics of Honeybee Memory Offers a Glimpse Into Our Own Minds
Skipping Sleep Lowers the Body’s Protective Antioxidant Levels and Induces Epigenetic Changes
Sleep is something that nearly all species need to survive. On a daily basis, humans need about 8 hours, dogs and cats recharge with around 12 hours, and the koala takes nearly the entire day — napping a whopping 22 hours. But unlike dogs, koalas, or most other animals, we humans don’t always get enough … Continue reading Skipping Sleep Lowers the Body’s Protective Antioxidant Levels and Induces Epigenetic Changes
Dr. Eddy Bettermann MD 