Advances in Biomarkers for Neurodegenerative Diseases: From Molecular Discovery to Early Diagnosis

A special issue of Biomedicines (ISSN 2227-9059). This special issue belongs to the section "Neurobiology and Clinical Neuroscience".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 November 2026 | Viewed by 2058

Special Issue Editor

College of Korean Medicine, Sang Ji University, Wonju 26339, Republic of Korea
Interests: Parkinson’s disease; alpha-synuclein; dopaminergic neuron; apoptosis; neuroinflammation; acupuncture; neuroprotection
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We are pleased to announce a Special Issue dedicated to exploring the pivotal role of biomarkers in understanding, diagnosing, and treating neurodegenerative diseases. This Special Issue aims to showcase cutting-edge research on molecular biomarkers that are revolutionizing our approach to neurodegeneration, with particular emphasis on protein aggregation pathways, including but not limited to alpha-synuclein, tau, amyloid-β, and TDP-43.

As these pathological proteins serve as both critical biomarkers and promising therapeutic targets, we seek to bridge the gap between molecular discovery and clinical application, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration across the neurodegenerative disease spectrum.

Scope and Topics of Interest

In this Special Issue, original research articles, comprehensive reviews, and perspectives are welcome. Research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following:

  • Molecular Mechanisms and Pathophysiology
    • Protein aggregation, misfolding, and prion-like propagation mechanisms.
    • Post-translational modifications and their role in disease progression.
    • Cellular stress responses and proteostasis networks.
  • Biomarker Discovery and Validation
    • Novel fluid-based biomarkers (blood, CSF, saliva, tears).
    • Extracellular vesicles and their cargo as diagnostic tools.
    • Multi-omics approaches for biomarker identification.
    • Digital and wearable biomarkers for early detection.
  • Advanced Diagnostic Technologies
    • Next-generation imaging techniques and molecular PET tracers.
    • Ultra-sensitive detection methods (Simoa, mass spectrometry, biosensors).
    • AI-driven diagnostic algorithms and predictive modeling.
    • Point-of-care diagnostic platform development.
  • Therapeutic Strategies and Clinical Translation
    • Immunotherapy approaches targeting pathological proteins.
    • Small molecule modulators of protein aggregation.
    • Gene and RNA-based therapeutic interventions.
    • Biomarker-guided clinical trial design and patient stratification.
  • Translational and Implementation Science
    • Longitudinal studies tracking biomarker dynamics.
    • Standardization and harmonization of biomarker assays.
    • Health economics and accessibility of biomarker testing.
    • Precision medicine approaches using biomarker profiles.

This Special Issue aims to provide a comprehensive overview of current advances in neurodegenerative disease biomarkers while identifying critical gaps and future directions. We particularly encourage submissions that demonstrate translational potential, moving from mechanistic insights to clinical applications that will ultimately benefit patients affected by these devastating diseases.

We welcome contributions from researchers across disciplines, including neuroscience, molecular biology, clinical neurology, bioengineering, and computational biology, fostering an integrative approach to tackling the challenges of neurodegeneration.

I look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Sujung Yeo
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • alpha-synuclein
  • neurodegeneration
  • Parkinson's disease
  • pathophysiology
  • mechanism
  • therapy
  • synucleinopathy

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

13 pages, 2289 KB  
Article
Effect of Serping1 siRNA Injection on Dopaminergic Cell Reduction in an MPTP-Induced Parkinson’s Disease Mouse Model
by Min Hyung Seo and Sujung Yeo
Biomedicines 2026, 14(3), 569; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines14030569 - 2 Mar 2026
Viewed by 584
Abstract
Background: Decreased dopaminergic cells and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) in the substantia nigra (SN) lead to Parkinson’s disease (PD); but its cause remains unknown. PD is characterized by α-synuclein (α-syn) accumulation in Lewy bodies; most of which is phosphorylated at Ser129 (pSer129 α-syn). [...] Read more.
Background: Decreased dopaminergic cells and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) in the substantia nigra (SN) lead to Parkinson’s disease (PD); but its cause remains unknown. PD is characterized by α-synuclein (α-syn) accumulation in Lewy bodies; most of which is phosphorylated at Ser129 (pSer129 α-syn). Serping1 is an important gene for controlling blood vessel maintenance; including the process of inflammation. Methods: Increased expression of Serping1 affects dopaminergic cell death in the SN of a chronic PD mouse model induced by 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP); and Serping1 siRNA treatment has a therapeutic effect in this model. Results: We demonstrated that this treatment shows a normal status in the motor ability test and TH level in the SN and striatum. Serping1 siRNA was found to react to decreased Serping1 levels in the SN. In the pSer129-α-syn level of the SN region; Serping1 siRNA had a greater positive effect on PD than N-acetylcysteine by inhibiting pSer129-α-syn formation. Cyclooxygenase-2 and inducible nitric oxide synthase levels were decreased by Serping1 siRNA treatment; thereby indicating its effect on inflammation. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that Serping1 siRNA may represent a potential therapeutic approach for PD; warranting further investigation. Full article
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14 pages, 1515 KB  
Article
Association of Serum Sodium Levels and Delirium in Patients with Sepsis: A Retrospective Study
by Meiying Wang, Xi Wu, Mengqi Du, Dongjun Tie and Younian Xu
Biomedicines 2026, 14(2), 410; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines14020410 - 11 Feb 2026
Viewed by 795
Abstract
Background: This study aims to elucidate the relationship between serum sodium and the risk of sepsis-associated delirium (SAD), with particular emphasis on the critical threshold of 138.4 mmol/L. Methods: The retrospective study utilized data from the MIMIC-IV database. The analysis focused [...] Read more.
Background: This study aims to elucidate the relationship between serum sodium and the risk of sepsis-associated delirium (SAD), with particular emphasis on the critical threshold of 138.4 mmol/L. Methods: The retrospective study utilized data from the MIMIC-IV database. The analysis focused on serum sodium concentrations measured within the first 24 h of ICU admission. The association between sodium levels and the risk of delirium was assessed using restricted cubic spline (RCS) analysis and multivariable logistic regression. Subgroup analyses and propensity score matching (PSM) were used to mitigate potential confounding factors. Results: A total of 7356 septic patients were included, with 1861 (25.3%) developing delirium. RCS analysis revealed a significant non-linear relationship between sodium levels and delirium risk, with a threshold at 138.4 mmol/L. Sodium levels ≤ 138.4 mmol/L were associated with a reduced risk of delirium (OR 0.97, 95% CI: 0.95–0.99, p = 0.041), while levels > 138.4 mmol/L significantly increased the risk of delirium (OR 1.08, 95% CI: 1.06–1.11, p < 0.001). After PSM, hypernatremia was associated with a higher delirium incidence than hyponatremia (55.00% vs. 36.67%, p = 0.044) and remained an independent risk factor for delirium in logistic regression (OR 2.89, 95% CI 1.17–7.18, p = 0.022). Conclusions: This study identified a non-linear, threshold-dependent association between serum sodium and delirium susceptibility in septic patients, with 138.4 mmol/L as a critical tipping point. Hypernatremia emerged as a more potent risk factor for delirium compared to hyponatremia. These findings underscore the importance of sodium management in septic patients and suggest that serum sodium may serve as a potential biomarker for predicting neuropsychiatric outcomes in sepsis. Full article
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