Human Molecular Neurocytogenetics

AbstractPurpose of ReviewDuring the last decade, genomics has delivered basic insight into somatic genome variations contributing to human neuronal diversity in health and disease. Here, we review research on somatic chromosomal mosaicism and chromosome instability in the developing and adult (normal and diseased) human brain, representing the emerging field of molecular neurocytogenetics.Recent FindingsChromosome instability and somatic chromosomal mosaicism were found to be involved in human brain development. Additionally, recent studies have highlighted the impact of neuronal aneuploidy and brain-specific chromosome instability on normal and pathological neurodevelopment and brain aging.SummaryNeurocytogenomic variations are nowadays thought to play a critical role in human brain development and aging. Chromosome instability is likely to be an element of pathogenetic cascades in a variety of brain diseases. Future studies are likely to reveal new neurocytogenetic/neurocytogenomic mechanisms for formation of human neuronal diversity and mental illness. Finally, human molecular neurocytogenetics may be recognized as an integral component of current biomedical science.
Source: Current Genetic Medicine Reports - Category: Genetics & Stem Cells Source Type: research