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Potential Prevention and Treatment of Neurodegenerative Disorders

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Neurobiology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2025 | Viewed by 4517

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morpho-Functional Imaging, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
Interests: biomarkers; clinical biochemistry; oxidative stress; inflammation; cell cultures; gene expression analyses
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Neurodegenerative disorders are considered a global emerging health burden due to the progressive aging of the population, with a consequent increase in people affected by these pathologies, and because of the social and economic impacts of these disorders.

Several factors can, directly or indirectly, lead to morphological, biochemical, and electrical alterations in the nervous system, resulting in neurodegenerative disorders.

Currently, neurobiological research is focused on the development of new molecular strategies of prevention and therapeutic interventions for neurodegenerative diseases.

The advent of modern molecular diagnostic and imaging techniques that are able to analyze brain processes, combined with advances in bioinformatics that enable the analysis of big data, have provided unprecedented possibilities for the prevention and treatment of neurodegenerative disorders.

Furthermore, increasing attention is being paid to the therapeutic effects of antioxidant compounds on human health, since these can counteract and neutralize oxidative stress and inflammatory processes that are involved in the etiopathogenesis of several neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease.

This Special Issue aims to provide insights into recent advances in the above research areas at the molecular level. Original research and review articles which provide insights into the identification of possible biomarkers and targets for prevention and the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders are welcome.

Dr. Maria Paola Bertuccio
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • neurodegenerative disorders
  • molecular biomarkers
  • oxidative stress
  • therapeutic strategies
  • disease prevention

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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13 pages, 6675 KiB  
Article
Rutin Ameliorates ALS Pathology by Reducing SOD1 Aggregation and Neuroinflammation in an SOD1-G93A Mouse Model
by Xiaoyu Du, Quanxiu Dong, Jie Zhu, Lingjie Li, Xiaolin Yu and Ruitian Liu
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(19), 10392; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms251910392 - 27 Sep 2024
Viewed by 1753
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the progressive loss of motor neurons, with limited effective treatments. Recently, the exploration of natural products has unveiled their potential in exerting neuroprotective effects, offering a promising avenue for ALS therapy. In this [...] Read more.
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the progressive loss of motor neurons, with limited effective treatments. Recently, the exploration of natural products has unveiled their potential in exerting neuroprotective effects, offering a promising avenue for ALS therapy. In this study, the therapeutic effects of rutin, a natural flavonoid glycoside with neuroprotective properties, were evaluated in a superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1)-G93A mouse model of ALS. We showed that rutin reduced the level of SOD1 aggregation and diminished glial cell activation in spinal cords and brainstems, resulting in significantly improved motor function and motor neuron restoration in SOD1-G93A mice. Our findings indicated that rutin’s multi-targeted approach to SOD1-related pathology makes it a promising candidate for the treatment of ALS. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Potential Prevention and Treatment of Neurodegenerative Disorders)
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Review

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19 pages, 1493 KiB  
Review
Impact of Alterations in Homocysteine, Asymmetric Dimethylarginine and Vitamins-Related Pathways in Some Neurodegenerative Diseases: A Narrative Review
by Caterina Saija, Monica Currò, Riccardo Ientile, Daniela Caccamo and Maria Paola Bertuccio
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(8), 3672; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26083672 - 13 Apr 2025
Viewed by 330
Abstract
Hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) influences the development and progression of neurodegenerative disorders in different ways. Homocysteine (Hcy) metabolism is related to that of asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) and group B vitamins. The breakdown of the pathway involving nitric oxide (NO) and ADMA can be considered one [...] Read more.
Hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) influences the development and progression of neurodegenerative disorders in different ways. Homocysteine (Hcy) metabolism is related to that of asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) and group B vitamins. The breakdown of the pathway involving nitric oxide (NO) and ADMA can be considered one of the causes of endothelial alteration that represents a crucial step in the development of several neurodegenerative disorders. Deficiencies of vitamins other than group B ones, such as D and A, have also been associated with central nervous system disorders. The aim of this narrative review is to describe the link between HHcy, ADMA, and vitamins in Parkinson’s disease (PD), Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and multiple sclerosis (MS) in terms of dysfunctional pathways and neuropathological processes, performing a literature search from 2015 to 2025 on PubMed. This review also provides an overview of the effects of vitamin supplementation on neurodegenerative diseases. The alteration of pathways involving NO production can lead to HHcy and elevated ADMA concentrations, causing neurodegeneration through various mechanisms, while vitamin supplementation has been shown to reduce Hcy levels, although with conflicting results about the improvement in clinical symptoms. Further studies are needed to develop optimal combined therapeutic strategies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Potential Prevention and Treatment of Neurodegenerative Disorders)
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20 pages, 1975 KiB  
Review
Targeting 5-HT Is a Potential Therapeutic Strategy for Neurodegenerative Diseases
by Cencan Xing, Hongyu Chen, Wangyu Bi, Tong Lei, Zhongci Hang and Hongwu Du
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(24), 13446; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms252413446 - 15 Dec 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1722
Abstract
There is increasing interest in the potential therapeutic role of 5-HT (serotonin) in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, which are characterized by the progressive degeneration and death of nerve cells. 5-HT is a vital neurotransmitter that plays a central role in regulating mood, [...] Read more.
There is increasing interest in the potential therapeutic role of 5-HT (serotonin) in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, which are characterized by the progressive degeneration and death of nerve cells. 5-HT is a vital neurotransmitter that plays a central role in regulating mood, cognition, and various physiological processes in the body. Disruptions in the 5-HT system have been linked to several neurological and psychiatric disorders, making it an attractive target for therapeutic intervention. Although the exact causes of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) are not fully understood, researchers believe that regulating the 5-HT system could help alleviate symptoms and potentially slow the progression of these diseases. Here, we delve into the potential of harnessing 5-HT as a therapeutic target for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. It is important to note that the current clinical drugs targeting 5-HT are still limited in the treatment of these complex diseases. Therefore, further research and clinical trials are needed to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of its clinical application. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Potential Prevention and Treatment of Neurodegenerative Disorders)
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