Repurposing and Innovation: Drug Research in Neuroprotection
A special issue of Current Issues in Molecular Biology (ISSN 1467-3045). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Pharmacology".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 May 2026 | Viewed by 1257
Special Issue Editor
Interests: neuropharmacology; neuroprotection; neurodegenerative diseases; natural-derived substances; natural products; drug repurposing
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Neurodegenerative diseases and a range of neurological disorders remain a major challenge facing modern medicine, and there are currently few treatments that can effectively prevent or reverse neuronal damage. Therefore, the search for neuroprotective strategies aimed at preserving neuronal integrity and function in various diseases has become a core topic in translational medicine research.
From a pharmacological perspective, the study of novel molecules has helped explore various mechanisms, including the regulation of excitotoxicity, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, neuroinflammation, protein misfolding, and altered apoptotic pathways. Innovative compounds are often highly specific, targeting specific molecular cascades or receptors that play a role in neuronal survival and synaptic plasticity. However, they often encounter translational barriers related to toxicity, bioavailability, and blood–brain barrier (BBB) permeability. In contrast, drug repurposing utilizes compounds with well-defined pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics, including demonstrated CNS penetration and an established safety profile. Examples include antidiabetic drugs with anti-inflammatory and mitochondrial stabilizing properties and antihypertensive drugs with calcium channel-modulatory properties that enhance neuronal resilience.
Therefore, this Special Issue will cover two interrelated aspects of modern pharmacology: the identification and characterization of novel neuroprotective compounds, and the strategic reuse of existing drugs for neuroprotective applications. We will mainly focus on two approaches: the study of innovative substances with inherent neuroprotective properties and the re-evaluation of clinically approved drugs that were originally designed for other uses but were later shown to have neuroprotective properties. On one hand, we will focus on advances in rational drug design and novel molecular entities derived from natural resources. On the other hand, we will emphasize the importance of systematic drug repurposing, using existing data to accelerate the development of therapeutic interventions while addressing barriers to their translation.
For this Special Issue, we welcome submissions including mechanistic studies, preclinical models, clinical observations, and pharmacological analyses. Our goal is to advance the understanding and application of neuroprotection through innovation and strategic repurposing.
Dr. Stela Dragomanova
Guest Editor
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Keywords
- neuroprotection
- drug repurposing
- natural-derived compounds
- neurodegenerative diseases
- pharmacological innovation
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