Podcast
Questions and Answers
Which epigenetic modification has been associated with the degeneration of vertebral disks in the context of chronic low-back pain?
Which epigenetic modification has been associated with the degeneration of vertebral disks in the context of chronic low-back pain?
- Increased histone acetylation
- Sustained DNA methylation (correct)
- Reduced DNA methylation
- Transient histone deacetylation
Sustained histone deacetylation is implicated in which of the following effects related to pain management?
Sustained histone deacetylation is implicated in which of the following effects related to pain management?
- Enhanced responsiveness to opioid analgesics like morphine
- Prevention of epigenetic priming of the nervous system by neonatal pain
- Development of long-lasting neuropathic pain and decreased morphine effectiveness (correct)
- Reduced intensity of acute pain episodes
What is the potential long-term consequence of neonatal pain, such as pain experienced in the NICU, on the nervous system?
What is the potential long-term consequence of neonatal pain, such as pain experienced in the NICU, on the nervous system?
- Immediate and permanent desensitization of pain pathways
- Limited impact on long-term pain sensitivity due to neuroplasticity
- Reduced susceptibility to chronic pain in adulthood due to early pain exposure
- Epigenetic priming of the nervous system, increasing the risk of chronic pain later in life (correct)
Beyond pain intensity, what other dimensions of pain are assessed using similarly constructed scales?
Beyond pain intensity, what other dimensions of pain are assessed using similarly constructed scales?
For which population group are verbal rating scales suggested to be more effective than numeric rating scales for measuring acute pain?
For which population group are verbal rating scales suggested to be more effective than numeric rating scales for measuring acute pain?
What is the primary function of chromatin remodeling in the context of gene expression?
What is the primary function of chromatin remodeling in the context of gene expression?
Which modification to the molecule in the chromatin complex involves the addition of an acetyl group?
Which modification to the molecule in the chromatin complex involves the addition of an acetyl group?
Following tissue injury, what prompts chromatin to unspool a region of DNA, initiating a cellular response?
Following tissue injury, what prompts chromatin to unspool a region of DNA, initiating a cellular response?
What is one of the ways transcription and the orchestrated formation and disruption of chromatin is controlled?
What is one of the ways transcription and the orchestrated formation and disruption of chromatin is controlled?
What are the implications of epigenetics research in pain management?
What are the implications of epigenetics research in pain management?
How does the 'bead on a string' formation of chromatin impact gene expression?
How does the 'bead on a string' formation of chromatin impact gene expression?
What are the implications of environmental factors acting as 'epigenetic primers'?
What are the implications of environmental factors acting as 'epigenetic primers'?
How quickly are genes in spinal cord neurons epigenetically regulated following a peripheral nerve injury?
How quickly are genes in spinal cord neurons epigenetically regulated following a peripheral nerve injury?
Flashcards
Covalent Bonds
Covalent Bonds
Strong chemical bonds formed by the sharing of electrons between atoms, including in DNA structure.
Histones
Histones
Protein molecules around which DNA is tightly coiled in chromatin, aiding in gene regulation.
Chromatin
Chromatin
The complex of DNA and proteins (histones) that forms chromosomes, regulating DNA accessibility.
Epigenetics
Epigenetics
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Methylation
Methylation
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Acetylation
Acetylation
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Transcriptional Access
Transcriptional Access
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Environmental Epigenetic Primers
Environmental Epigenetic Primers
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Epigenetic processes
Epigenetic processes
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DNA methylation
DNA methylation
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Histone deacetylation
Histone deacetylation
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Neuropathic pain
Neuropathic pain
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Pain assessment scales
Pain assessment scales
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Study Notes
Epigenetics and Pain
- Tight covalent bonds form along DNA, spooling it around histones.
- This chromatin structure (DNA wrapped around histones) dynamically regulates gene expression.
- Epigenetics is the functional regulation of gene expression through chromatin remodeling/modification.
Chromatin Remodeling
- Cellular stress (e.g., injury) triggers signaling cascades.
- This unspools DNA for transcription of anti-inflammatory molecules (e.g., cytokines, glucocorticoids).
- Chromatin remodeling involves the addition/removal of chemical groups (methylation, acetylation, phosphorylation) to histones or DNA.
- The processes are dynamic; DNA respools when no longer needed.
- Demethylation, deacetylation, and dephosphorylation are essential for reversing epigenetic modifications.
Epigenetics and Chronic Pain
- Epigenetic mechanisms are crucial in the development of chronic pain from acute pain.
- Environmental factors act as epigenetic primers.
- Epigenetic changes (e.g., DNA methylation patterns) can influence responsiveness to pain and analgesics.
Early Epigenetic Changes in Pain
- Over 1,000 genes in spinal cord neurons are epigenetically regulated shortly after a nerve injury.
- Initial modification in spinal cord neurons, followed by synaptic remodeling, form the basis of long-term pain.
Molecular Mechanisms of Chronic Pain
- DNA methylation accelerates vertebral disk degeneration in low-back pain.
- Histone deacetylation contributes to chronic neuropathic pain resistance to morphine.
Pain Assessment
- Pain is measured using various scales, some evaluating dimensions beyond intensity.
- Examples include unpleasantness, depth/location, and disruption to daily activities.
- Verbal rating scales are often more effective for older adults than numeric scales.
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