Molecular and Cellular Pathways Underlying Neurodegenerative Disorders

Neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, are among the most pressing health challenges of our time. Despite decades of research, the molecular and cellular mechanisms driving neuronal dysfunction and progressive degeneration remain only partially understood, limiting the development of effective therapies.

These disorders are characterized by progressive loss of specific neuronal populations, leading to cognitive, motor, and behavioral impairments. Multiple interrelated mechanisms contribute to disease onset and progression. Understanding these pathways at the molecular and cellular levels is critical for identifying novel therapeutic targets and designing effective interventions.

This Research Topic aims to bring together cutting-edge studies that unravel the molecular signaling networks, genetic risk factors, and cellular processes underlying neurodegeneration. We welcome contributions that explore pathogenic mechanisms such as protein misfolding and aggregation, mitochondrial dysfunction, synaptic failure, oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, impaired proteostasis, and alterations in RNA metabolism. Insights into the role of glial cells, blood–brain barrier integrity, and neuroimmune interactions in shaping disease progression are also of particular interest.

By highlighting key pathways at the intersection of molecular and cellular dysfunction, this collection seeks to foster a deeper understanding of neurodegenerative disorders and stimulate innovative approaches toward their diagnosis, prevention, and treatment.

This Research Topic will focus on (but is not limited to):

• Protein misfolding, aggregation, and proteostasis in neurodegenerative disorders

• Mitochondrial dynamics, bioenergetics, and oxidative stress

• Synaptic dysfunction and neuronal connectivity loss

• Neuroinflammation and glial cell contributions to disease progression

• RNA metabolism, epigenetic regulation, and gene expression changes

• Monoclonal antibodies and small molecule therapeutics

• Translational models and therapeutic approaches targeting molecular and cellular pathways

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: Neurodegeneration, Protein aggregation, Mitochondrial dysfunction, Neuroinflammation, Alzheimer’s therapy

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.