Alterations in Global DNA Methylation/Hydroxymethylation and MicroRNA Expression in a Rat Model of Gulf War Illness

Gulf War Illness (GWI) is a chronic, multisymptom illness that affects 25% of the 700,000 US veterans deployed to the Persian Gulf during the 1990-1991 Gulf War. Central nervous system impairments are among the most common symptoms reported, including memory dysfunction and depression. Epidemiological studies have consistently identified neurotoxic chemical exposures during deployment as the strongest risk factors for the persistent symptoms affecting GW veterans, but after nearly 25 years, treatments are lacking and underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in its pathobiology remain poorly understood. Epigenetic changes including DNA methylation and altered microRNA (miRNA) expression play an important role in in learning, memory, and emotion regulation and have been implicated in various neurological disorders. The aim of this study was to determine in a rat model of GWI whether chronic alterations in global DNA methylation/hydroxymethylation and miRNA expression are mechanisms involved in ...