What is it about?
Neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Huntington’s disease, and ALS cause the gradual loss of brain cells, leading to memory decline, movement problems, and other neurological symptoms. Detecting these diseases early and treating them effectively is a major challenge. Our review explains how microRNAs (miRNAs), tiny molecules that control gene activity, could help doctors diagnose these diseases earlier and develop more precise treatments. We describe how miRNAs become altered in the brain and blood, how they can be measured using modern techniques like RT-qPCR, next-generation sequencing, and biosensors, and how scientists are trying to use them as therapeutic agents to slow disease progression. This article brings together recent discoveries in molecular biology, nanotechnology, and neuroscience to show how miRNAs might soon move from lab research to real clinical use.
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Why is it important?
Neurodegenerative diseases affect millions of people worldwide, yet most are diagnosed only after significant brain damage has already occurred. MicroRNAs offer a new, minimally invasive way to detect early disease changes through simple blood tests and may even provide new therapeutic options. Our review provides a comprehensive roadmap for researchers and clinicians, highlighting the most reliable miRNA biomarkers, comparing detection methods, and outlining the main barriers to clinical translation. By identifying where current research is strong and where standardization is still needed, this work aims to accelerate progress toward earlier diagnosis and personalized treatments for Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, ALS, and Huntington’s disease.
Perspectives
Writing this review was a rewarding experience because it connects my interests in molecular biology, biosensor development, and neurodegenerative disease research. Collaborating with colleagues across disciplines helped me see how small molecules like miRNAs could make a big difference in future clinical diagnostics and therapies. I hope this article inspires more collaborations between neuroscientists, clinicians, and engineers to bridge the gap between laboratory discoveries and real-world patient care. Our goal is to help make early, accurate, and accessible testing for neurodegenerative diseases a global reality.
Hafiz Muhammad Husnain Azam
Brandenburgische Technische Universitat Cottbus-Senftenberg
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: MicroRNAs in neurodegenerative diseases: from molecular mechanisms to clinical biomarkers, detection methods and therapeutic strategies—advances and challenges, Neurological Sciences, October 2025, Springer Science + Business Media,
DOI: 10.1007/s10072-025-08419-w.
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