DNA Methylation/Demethylation Homeostasis and Various Pain Conditions

This chapter describes for pain scientists and physicians a synopsis of the mechanisms of DNA methylation and demethylation as a background for understanding the gene processes of nociception and chronic pain. In particular, highlights of the following are included: the roles and functions of DNA methylation and demethylation and emerging technologies for studying DNA methylation. Following this, the potential roles and mechanisms of imbalance of the DNA methylation and demethylation homeostasis in chronic pain and its link to various types of chronic pain outcomes are particularly emphasized. The chapter concludes with a focus on research issues including methodological considerations that are key in interpreting research findings in DNA methylation in response to various pain conditions. Obviously, there are many challenging research issues that need to be well addressed to fill in the gaps in our knowledge related to the potential for drugging the pain epigenome.