Dear Colleagues,

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) are nuclear receptors that regulate gene expression by binding to specific peroxisome proliferator response elements on responsive genes. Three isoforms of PPARs have been identified (PPAR-α, PPAR-γ, and PPAR-β/δ), all of which are involved in an array of molecular steps that regulate metabolism and inflammation. Recently, evidence of the roles that PPARs play in central nervous system (CNS) functions has emerged. Preclinical studies, performed on experimental models of different neurological/neurodegenerative, neurodevelopmental, and psychiatric disorders, and a limited number of clinical studies suggest that PPARs may represent promising therapeutic targets for CNS diseases. For disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy, and autism spectrum disorders, but also for major depression and substance abuse, the available therapeutic tools are often still unsatisfactory, and there is an urgent need for advances in neuropsychopharmacology research that usher in the development of novel therapeutic strategies.

This Special Issue of Biomolecules is dedicated to PPAR and their endogenous and synthetic ligands, with the goal of providing an up-to-date view of the role of the PPAR system in the pathophysiology and treatment of psychiatric, developmental, and neurodegenerative disorders that may lead to the identification and development of effective novel therapeutic agents. Colleagues from different fields are invited to submit original research articles, reviews, or perspective articles on all aspects related to the involvement of the PPAR system in the healthy and diseased brain.

Dr. Maria Graziella De Montis
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2300 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• PPAR ligands
• CNS disorders
• neuroinflammation
• mitochondrial disfunction