Epigenetic and Molecular Biomarkers in Neurological Aging and Chronic Disorders: From Mechanisms to Translation

Neurological disorders, ranging from neurodegenerative diseases to cerebrovascular and neuroinflammatory conditions, represent a growing global health burden, particularly in aging populations. Advances in neuroepidemiology and molecular biology have highlighted the critical role of genetic, epigenetic, and metabolic factors in shaping disease risk and progression. Recent breakthroughs in DNA methylation clocks, circulating biomarkers, and omics-driven profiling provide novel opportunities to unravel mechanisms of brain aging, improve early diagnosis, and enable targeted prevention strategies. However, the integration of these insights into clinical neurology remains limited, underscoring the urgent need for interdisciplinary collaboration.

This Research Topic aims to bring together cutting-edge research on molecular and epigenetic biomarkers in neurological aging and chronic disorders. We seek to address critical gaps in understanding how biological aging processes—captured through DNA methylation algorithms, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics—intersect with epidemiological factors and clinical outcomes. By bridging molecular discoveries with population-based evidence, this collection will provide a comprehensive framework for identifying predictive biomarkers, refining risk stratification, and accelerating translational applications in neurology. We particularly encourage submissions that explore mechanistic pathways linking systemic aging with neurodegeneration, cerebrovascular pathology, cognitive decline, and psychiatric comorbidities, as well as innovative biomarker-guided therapeutic strategies.

We welcome contributions across diverse article types, including original research, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and methodological advances. Submissions may address, but are not limited to:

• Epigenetic biomarkers (DNA methylation, epigenetic clocks, chromatin accessibility) in neurodegenerative and cerebrovascular diseases
• Multi-omics and integrative biomarker discovery in neurological aging
• Neuroepidemiological studies on risk factors, biomarkers, and disease trajectories
• Biomarker-based prediction models for early detection and prognosis
• Translational approaches linking biomarker signatures to interventions and clinical decision tools

This Research Topic invites multidisciplinary collaboration across neurology, epidemiology, geriatrics, molecular biology, and computational medicine, fostering global perspectives and cross-institutional synergy.

Article types and fees

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

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Clinical Trial
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• ... 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
• Case Report
• Clinical Trial
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Study Protocol
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: neurological aging, epigenetic biomarkers, neuroepidemiology, DNA methylation, neurodegeneration, multi-omics, translational neurology

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.