Significance of higher-order chromatin architecture for neuronal function and dysfunction

•Higher-order nuclear architecture has profound influence on gene expression.•Chromosome territories and nuclear lamina are key components of nuclear structure.•Neuronal nuclear structure changes upon development and plasticity.•Neuronal nuclear architecture is involved in brain diseases.

Recent studies in neurons indicate that the large-scale chromatin architectural framework, including chromosome territories or lamina-associated chromatin, undergoes dynamic changes that represent an emergent level of regulation of neuronal gene-expression. This phenomenon has been implicated in neuronal differentiation, long-term potentiation, seizures, and disorders of neural plasticity such as Rett syndrome and epilepsy.This article is part of the Special Issue entitled ‘Neuroepigenetic Disorders’.