About this Research Topic
Autophagy, a critical cellular process responsible for recycling and removing damaged organelles and misfolded proteins, plays a pivotal role in maintaining cellular homeostasis. Dysregulation of autophagy has been implicated in the pathogenesis of various disorders, in particular chronic, neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson's, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and Huntington's disease. This special edition of the Frontiers in Neurology aims to highlight the latest developments in the mechanistic understanding of autophagy in neurological disease and the advances in targeted therapeutic interventions to combat these devastating conditions.
This Research Topic invites contributions that explore the intricate interplay between autophagy and the pathogenesis of neurological diseases. It encompasses research from diverse disciplines, including neuroscience, molecular biology, cell biology, pharmacology, and translational medicine. The scope includes, but is not limited to, fundamental molecular mechanisms of autophagic processes to preclinical models and clinical studies. The ultimate goal is to elucidate the mechanistic underpinnings of autophagy dysregulation in neurological disorders and identify potential therapeutic targets for intervention.
Focus:
1. Examine the role of autophagy in neurological disease pathogenesis: Autophagy has emerged as a critical process for maintaining neuronal health. This Research Topic invites submissions that inform the role of autophagy dysregulation in the onset and progression of neurological disorders. Of particular interest are studies that identify specific regulatory factors, signalling pathways, and epigenetic modifications that modulate autophagy and provide valuable insights for therapeutic interventions.
2. Explore therapeutic strategies targeting autophagy in neurological diseases: Investigating therapeutic interventions that modulate autophagy represents a promising avenue for treating neurological disorders. We would like to highlight studies that examine pharmacological agents, gene therapy approaches, and other innovative strategies that target autophagic function and have a promising impact on onset and/or progression of disease. Evaluation of the efficacy and safety of these interventions in preclinical models and clinical trials will help bridge the gap between bench and bedside.
3. Identify potential biomarkers for autophagy dysregulation and disease progression: Biomarkers that reflect the dysregulation of autophagy or disease progression hold significant diagnostic and prognostic value. This special edition calls for investigations aimed at identifying robust biomarkers associated with autophagy dysfunction in various neurological disorders. Biomarker discovery will facilitate early diagnosis, monitoring of disease progression, and assessment of treatment efficacy.
Understanding the intricate relationship between autophagy dysregulation and neurological diseases is crucial for developing effective therapeutic strategies. By elucidating the underlying molecular mechanisms, exploring autophagy regulatory pathways, and investigating potential therapeutic interventions, researchers can bridge the gap between fundamental science and clinical applications. This special edition of the Frontiers of Neurology aims at highlighting advances in systems biology research that would ultimately lead to improvements in the treatment outcomes and quality of life for individuals affected by neurological disorders. Continued interdisciplinary research and collaboration will be the driving force in advancing our knowledge, identifying new therapeutic targets, and ultimately finding effective treatments for these debilitating conditions.
This Research Topic invites contributions that explore the intricate interplay between autophagy and the pathogenesis of neurological diseases. It encompasses research from diverse disciplines, including neuroscience, molecular biology, cell biology, pharmacology, and translational medicine. The scope includes, but is not limited to, fundamental molecular mechanisms of autophagic processes to preclinical models and clinical studies. The ultimate goal is to elucidate the mechanistic underpinnings of autophagy dysregulation in neurological disorders and identify potential therapeutic targets for intervention.
Focus:
1. Examine the role of autophagy in neurological disease pathogenesis: Autophagy has emerged as a critical process for maintaining neuronal health. This Research Topic invites submissions that inform the role of autophagy dysregulation in the onset and progression of neurological disorders. Of particular interest are studies that identify specific regulatory factors, signalling pathways, and epigenetic modifications that modulate autophagy and provide valuable insights for therapeutic interventions.
2. Explore therapeutic strategies targeting autophagy in neurological diseases: Investigating therapeutic interventions that modulate autophagy represents a promising avenue for treating neurological disorders. We would like to highlight studies that examine pharmacological agents, gene therapy approaches, and other innovative strategies that target autophagic function and have a promising impact on onset and/or progression of disease. Evaluation of the efficacy and safety of these interventions in preclinical models and clinical trials will help bridge the gap between bench and bedside.
3. Identify potential biomarkers for autophagy dysregulation and disease progression: Biomarkers that reflect the dysregulation of autophagy or disease progression hold significant diagnostic and prognostic value. This special edition calls for investigations aimed at identifying robust biomarkers associated with autophagy dysfunction in various neurological disorders. Biomarker discovery will facilitate early diagnosis, monitoring of disease progression, and assessment of treatment efficacy.
Understanding the intricate relationship between autophagy dysregulation and neurological diseases is crucial for developing effective therapeutic strategies. By elucidating the underlying molecular mechanisms, exploring autophagy regulatory pathways, and investigating potential therapeutic interventions, researchers can bridge the gap between fundamental science and clinical applications. This special edition of the Frontiers of Neurology aims at highlighting advances in systems biology research that would ultimately lead to improvements in the treatment outcomes and quality of life for individuals affected by neurological disorders. Continued interdisciplinary research and collaboration will be the driving force in advancing our knowledge, identifying new therapeutic targets, and ultimately finding effective treatments for these debilitating conditions.
Keywords: Misfolding, Mitophagy, Biomarkers, Aggregates, Homeostasis, Recycling, Autophagy, Neurodegeneration, proteostasis, aggregation
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
