Epigenetics of human neurodevelopment, for the promotion of health and prevention of disease

Abstract

Neurodevelopment, like all ontogeny, has in its genesis a predetermined genetic component and at the same time the modulation of the environment; epigenetic mechanisms are at the interface between the two. The objective of the work is to structure theoretical references on the relevance of epigenetics in normal and defective neurodevelopment, which contribute to the promotion of health and prevention of disease. The medical literature published in the last five years in Spanish and English, and a textbook on Embryology were reviewed; appropriate keywords were used. Epigenetics refers to the set of chemical reactions that modify the expression of the genome without altering its sequence, determined by the environment it can be stable, heritable, and reversible. Epigenetic reprogramming reaches its maximum expression during the thousand days after fertilization and is responsible for normal and defective ontogenic events, including those related to neurodevelopment; anencephaly and autism spectrum disorder highlights. Environmental factors such as nutrition, parental age, toxic habits and stress have recognized epigenetic implications. These aspects must be taken into account in the priority strategies for the promotion, prevention and care of neurodevelopment in the course of human ontogeny.