Neuroinflammation in Neuropsychiatric and Neurodegenerative Conditions: Insights and Advancements

Neuroinflammation is a hallmark of both neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative conditions and plays a very crucial role in disease progression. In neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Huntington's disease, the chronic activation of glial cells exacerbates neuroimmune homeostasis and further increases the oxidative stress, which contributes to neuronal damage and progressive cognitive decline. Similarly, in neuropsychiatric disorders like depression, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder, aberrant immune signaling and neuroinflammatory pathways have been implicated in disrupted neurotransmission, synaptic plasticity, and behavioral symptoms. The interplay between peripheral immune activation and central neuroinflammation has been increasingly recognized, highlighting the role of systemic inflammation in exacerbating brain pathology. However, significant gaps remain in understanding the precise triggers of neuroinflammation, the molecular switches between protective and pathological states, and the long-term consequences of chronic inflammation on brain function. Additionally, the heterogeneity of neuroinflammatory responses across individuals and conditions complicates the development of universal therapeutic strategies, suggesting the urgent need for more research to elucidate the precise role of neuroinflammation across diverse conditions and to develop targeted, effective therapies.

This Research Topic seeks to address these challenges by fostering studies that elucidate the cellular and molecular mechanisms driving neuroinflammation, its role in disease progression, and its impact on neural function. Contributions may include research on biomarkers, therapeutic strategies to modulate inflammation, and novel methodologies to investigate neuroimmune interactions. By integrating cellular neuroscience with translational approaches, this topic aims to advance diagnostic and therapeutic innovations for neuroinflammatory conditions.

This Research Topic explores the role of neuroinflammation in neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative conditions, aiming to deepen understanding of its mechanisms, impacts, and therapeutic potential. Contributors are encouraged to address themes such as:

• Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms: Investigations into the roles of microglia, astrocytes, cytokines, and peripheral immune cells in neuroinflammatory processes.
• Neuroinflammation in Disease Pathology: Studies linking neuroinflammation to conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, depression, and schizophrenia.
• Biomarkers of Neuroinflammation: Research identifying molecular or imaging markers for early detection and monitoring of inflammation.
• Therapeutic Approaches: Novel anti-inflammatory strategies, including drug development, gene therapy, or immunomodulation techniques.
• Cross-talk with Neural Function: Insights into how neuroinflammation affects synaptic plasticity, neuronal function, and cognitive outcomes.

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
• Specialty Grand Challenge
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: neuroinflammation

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.