A review on the role of Epigenetics in Psychiatry: Etiology, contemporary medicine and future perspectives

Abstract

Psychiatric disorders are complex phenomena that have neurological, genetic and epigenetic bases. The epigenetic underpinnings of such disorders have been discovered and rediscovered in past research and provide a promising ground for drug development involving fewer side effects and faster recovery. This paper illustrates the epigenetics underlying the development of depression, anxiety disorders, and schizophrenia. In addition, it elaborates on epigenetic pharmacotherapy, focusing on HDAC and DNMT inhibitory activities of contemporary medicine and prospective epigenetic drugs.