ASHG 2010 Mtg.: “Epigenetics of Drug Addiction” (Dr. Eric Nestler) – TO VIEW THE FULL WEBCAST OF THIS SESSION, GO TO: www.ashg.org ASHG 2010 Annual Meeting Concurrent Invited Session II: “Methylating the Mind: The Epigenetics of Psychiatric Illness” Speaker: Dr. Eric J. Nestler, Mount Sinai School of Medicine November 4, 2010 (Washington, DC) DESCRIPTION: Psychiatric illnesses are among the leading causes of disability in the world, though the mechanisms underlying them are still largely mysterious. Challenges in identifying genes for psychiatric illness may be due in part to the underlying etiologic complexity, and epigenetics likely plays a crucial role as it links genes and environmental exposure. In particular, recent evidence points to a role for epigenetic mediators of stress in major depression and drug addiction. This session will bring together pioneers in this emerging field, that has now become amenable to population-based epigenetic studies, including whole genome epigenetic analysis targeted at nongenic sequence that might be epigenetic targets of disease.    Read more...