Advances in the Field of Neurology: Innovations in Research and Treatment

A special issue of Medicina (ISSN 1648-9144). This special issue belongs to the section "Neurology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 1 July 2026 | Viewed by 5548

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
1. NeuroAging Group (NEURAL), Clinical Neurosciences Research Laboratory (LINC), Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
2. Clinical University Hospital (CHUS), SERGAS, Travesía da Choupana, S/N, Santiago de Compostela, 15706 A Coruña, Spain
Interests: sphingolipids; cancer; inflammation; signaling pathways; neurosciences; Alzheimer’s disease; memory
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Guest Editor
1. Department of Medicine, NYU Grossman Long Island School of Medicine, Mineola, NY 11501, USA
2. Department of Foundations of Medicine, NYU Grossman Long Island School of Medicine, Mineola, NY 11501, USA
Interests: Alzheimer’s disease; neuroprotection; cognitive function; atherosclerosis; nutrition; lifestyle; dementia; lipid metabolism; aging
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue of Medicina aims to collect general papers and extended and expanded versions of selected papers presented at IECMD2025 (https://sciforum.net/event/IECMD2025), offering authors the opportunity to publish their full-length manuscripts in a high-impact, peer-reviewed format.

The Special Issue will cover novel mechanistic insights, translational approaches, and clinical innovations that advance our understanding of the nervous system and its disorders. By integrating molecular, cellular, and clinical perspectives, this issue seeks to bridge the gap between bench and bedside in neurology.

We welcome submissions addressing emerging concepts and frontiers in neurology, including, but not limited to, the following:

  • Molecular and cellular mechanisms of neurodegenerative diseases (Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, ALS, etc.);
  • Neuroinflammation and immune–brain interactions;
  • Neurovascular biology and cerebrovascular disorders (stroke and BBB dynamics);
  • Lysosomal and metabolic diseases with neurological manifestations;
  • Neuroplasticity, regeneration, and neurorepair mechanisms;
  • Biomarkers and diagnostic tools in neurological diseases;
  • Novel therapeutic targets and drug delivery systems for CNS disorders;
  • Precision neurology, personalized medicine, and patient stratification;
  • Advanced neuroimaging, electrophysiological, and computational approaches;
  • Translational and preclinical models of neurological pathologies.

Original research articles presenting novel mechanistic or translational findings in neurology and related disciplines are encouraged. We also welcome comprehensive and systematic reviews summarizing recent advances in neurological science and clinical practice. 

All manuscripts will undergo standard rigorous peer review and will be published open access in Medicina to ensure wide dissemination and visibility within the scientific and clinical community.

Dr. Alberto Ouro
Dr. Allison B. Reiss
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Medicina is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2200 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.

Keywords

  • neuron
  • synapse
  • neuroinflammation
  • motor neuron diseases
  • neurodegeneration
  • myelin
  • seizures

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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18 pages, 4417 KB  
Article
Effects of Exogenous SARS-CoV-2 S1 Protein and mRNA Vaccines on Mixed Neuronal–Glial Cell Cultures
by Vytenis Markevičius, Eimina Dirvelytė-Valauskė, Urtė Neniškytė and Vilmantė Borutaitė
Medicina 2026, 62(1), 198; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina62010198 - 17 Jan 2026
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Abstract
Background and Objectives: SARS-CoV-2 produces potentially pathogenic molecules, such as single-stranded RNA and spike proteins, which can potentially activate microglial cells. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether SARS-CoV-2 spike protein S1 and mRNA vaccines can cause neurotoxicity directly or through [...] Read more.
Background and Objectives: SARS-CoV-2 produces potentially pathogenic molecules, such as single-stranded RNA and spike proteins, which can potentially activate microglial cells. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether SARS-CoV-2 spike protein S1 and mRNA vaccines can cause neurotoxicity directly or through microglial involvement. Materials and Methods: Primary cerebellar granule cell cultures isolated from Wistar rats and organotypic hippocampal slice cultures from transgenic C57BL/6J mice were used in the experiments. Imaging and quantitative analysis of cell viability, proliferation, and phagocytic activity were performed using light and fluorescence microscopy. Results: The exogenous SARS-CoV-2 S1 protein at 50 µg/mL concentration induced neuronal cell death in neuronal–glial co-cultures and stimulated microglial proliferation during the first 3 days of exposure without an effect on inflammatory cytokine secretion. Single application of Tozinameran/Riltozinameran and Original/Omicron BA. 4–5 vaccines did not affect neuronal viability and total neuronal number in cell co-cultures after 7 days of exposure. In contrast, three repeated treatments with mRNA vaccines at 6 ng/mL caused microglial proliferation without affecting microglial phagocytosis and TNF-α release. In organotypic brain slice cultures, only Tozinameran/Riltozinameran stimulated microglial cell proliferation in female brain slices, while male brain slices remained unaffected by both vaccines, indicating sex-dependent effects. Conclusions: The findings suggest that mRNA vaccines do not exert neurotoxic effects in primary neuronal–glial co-cultures, but induce microglial proliferation, particularly in female brains in the absence of inflammatory cytokine release. SARS-CoV-2 S1 protein at high concentrations directly induces neuronal death. Full article
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Review

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27 pages, 473 KB  
Review
Beneficial Effects of Olive Oil and the Mediterranean Diet on Alzheimer’s Disease and Vascular Dementia: A Review
by Aitor González-Cidad, Juan Carlos García-Moncó and Gustavo C. Román
Medicina 2026, 62(4), 696; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina62040696 - 4 Apr 2026
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Abstract
Background and Objectives: During the past 25 years, a significant body of research has been conducted reporting on the salutary effects of the Mediterranean diet and extra-virgin olive oil, one of its main components. The initial studies were epidemiological observations on populations with [...] Read more.
Background and Objectives: During the past 25 years, a significant body of research has been conducted reporting on the salutary effects of the Mediterranean diet and extra-virgin olive oil, one of its main components. The initial studies were epidemiological observations on populations with very low mortality rates due to significant reductions in myocardial infarction fatalities. Population-based studies demonstrated that the Mediterranean diet with olive oil consumption is associated with a lower prevalence of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease, obesity, arthritis, and cancer. Materials and Methods: In this narrative review, we present recent studies on the effects of extra-virgin olive oil and the Mediterranean diet—compared with various other diets—on several vascular risk factors, including hypertension, hyperlipidemia, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and obesity, as well as their impact on cognitive decline and dementia. Results: This diet has been shown to improve cognitive function in patients with mild cognitive impairment, Alzheimer’s disease, vascular cognitive impairment, and vascular dementia. The main mechanisms responsible for cognitive improvement include control of arterial hypertension by reducing systolic and diastolic blood pressure, lowering triglycerides and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and increasing high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, along with improvement in fasting glucose, insulin levels, and hemoglobin A1c in subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus, as well as lowering body mass index and obesity. Conclusions: The Mediterranean diet and olive oil induce—along with prevention of cardiovascular disease and stroke—a significant improvement of vascular risk factors, slowing the progression of both vascular dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. There is a need for additional placebo-controlled clinical trials to confirm the supportive nutritional role of extra-virgin olive oil in age-associated cognitive decline in the elderly. Full article
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