Neuroscience, in its relentless quest to unravel the mysteries of the brain, has faced complex challenges in understanding neurodegenerative diseases and neurodevelopment. Although genetics has uncovered numerous genes associated with these diseases, understanding their mechanisms remains a complex puzzle. (Parikshak, Gandal & Geschwind, 2015)
To unravel this enigma, neuroscientists have turned to genomic analysis methods, with a special focus on transcriptomics, in order to connect genes to their manifestations in the central nervous system (CNS). (Parikshak, Gandal & Geschwind, 2015) However, the complexity of the CNS, with its cellular, spatial and temporal heterogeneity, makes this task an even greater challenge.
Transcriptomics, through the analysis of gene expression, allows us to draw a detailed molecular map of the brain, revealing which genes are active in different regions, cells and stages of development. This approach, together with the analysis of gene networks, offers a comprehensive perspective of the molecular organization of the brain, allowing us to identify modules of gene co-expression and their connections. (Parikshak, Gandal & Geschwind, 2015)
Gene network analysis goes beyond simply identifying differentially expressed genes, revealing how these genes interact and organize into functional modules. (Parikshak, Gandal & Geschwind, 2015) This approach, when combined with cell- and region-specific gene expression data from brain regions, provides a more accurate and informative view of disease biology.
Recent transcriptomic studies in diseases such as Alzheimer’s and schizophrenia have pointed to the dysregulation of specific gene networks, revealing alterations in the expression of genes involved in crucial cellular processes, such as synaptic function and immune response. (Parikshak, Gandal & Geschwind, 2015) The discovery of such dysregulated networks offers new perspectives for understanding disease mechanisms and for developing potential therapeutic targets.
In short, transcriptomics and gene network analysis are unraveling the complex molecular web behind neurological diseases, paving the way for a new era of discovery and treatments. (Parikshak, Gandal & Geschwind, 2015)
Reference
Parikshak, N. N., Gandal, M. J., & Geschwind, D. H. (2015). Systems biology and gene networks in neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders. Nature Reviews Genetics. Systems biology and gene networks in neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders – Nature Reviews Genetics
