MicroRNAs in neurodegenerative diseases: from molecular mechanisms to clinical biomarkers, detection methods and therapeutic strategies—advances and challenges

This comprehensive review explores the pivotal role of <b>microRNAs (miRNAs)</b> in the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and therapy of major <b>neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs)</b>, including <b>Alzheimer’s disease (AD)</b>, <b>Parkinson’s disease (PD)</b>, <b>Huntington’s disease (HD)</b>, and <b>amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)</b>.The article summarizes how miRNAs regulate <b>gene expression</b>, influence <b>neuroinflammation</b>, <b>synaptic dysfunction</b>, and <b>protein misfolding</b>, and highlights their potential as <b>diagnostic biomarkers</b> and <b>therapeutic targets</b>.Special emphasis is given to:<b>Advances in miRNA detection technologies</b> (RT-qPCR, NGS, biosensors, nanobead-based assays, microfluidics)<b>Therapeutic applications</b> including miRNA mimics, inhibitors, sponges, and delivery across the <b>blood–brain barrier (BBB)</b><b>Translational challenges</b> such as reproducibility, off-target effects, regulatory hurdles, and delivery optimizationThe review also discusses the future of <b>point-of-care diagnostics</b>, <b>bioinformatics modeling</b>, and <b>AI/ML integration</b> for clinical miRNA biomarker development.<br><i>Read the full review:</i><i>Azam H.M.H. et al. MicroRNAs in neurodegenerative diseases: from molecular mechanisms to clinical biomarkers, detection methods and therapeutic strategies—advances and challenges. Neurological Sciences (2025). DOI:</i> 10.1007/s10072-025-08419-w<i>Azam H.M.H. et al. MicroRNA biomarkers as next-generation diagnostic tools for neurodegenerative diseases: a comprehensive review. Front Mol Neurosci (2024). DOI:</i> 10.3389/fnmol.2024.1386735#Neuroscience #Neurodegeneration #miRNA #Biomarkers #Alzheimers #Parkinsons #ALS #Huntingtons #MolecularBiology #RNAResearch #PrecisionMedicine #Neurobiology #Biosensors #TranslationalMedicine #NeuroDiagnostics #SpringerNature #ScientificPublishing #Research #ScienceCommunicationSpringer Nature Technology and Publishing Solutions Neuroscience Blog for Biotechnology Enthusiasts Springer Nature