Translational Advances in Neurodegenerative Dementias

Dear Colleagues,

Neurodegenerative dementias are a heterogeneous group of chronic diseases that are characterized by progressive and inexorable cognitive decline, leading to loss of autonomy and, ultimately, death. The number of affected patients is constantly increasing, with catastrophic social, health, economic and welfare consequences. Despite significant efforts and investments, their pathophysiology is still largely obscure and there are currently no available therapies. Moreover, the diagnosis and the ability to predict the disease course still represents a challenge, particularly due to their extreme phenotypic variability. Thus, it is crucial to gather further evidence on the pathophysiological mechanisms involved in their onset and progression, in order to improve diagnostic possibilities and develop new therapeutic options. Recently, remarkable discoveries have been made through research in, for example, genetics, neuropathology, neurophysiology and neuroimaging. Non-invasive brain stimulation techniques (NIBS), in particular, have shown great promise both as diagnostic tools, as a means to better characterize alterations in circuits and rhythms in the affected brain, and as therapeutic options. This Topic aims to bring together, both through original research and reviews, the best and most recent evidence in this vast and complex field, in order to provide an up-to-date view of the research in the field and to promote further developments.

Dr. Francesco Di Lorenzo
Dr. Annibale Antonioni
Topic Editors