Mechanisms of Action in Neurodegenerative Proteinopathies

Proteinopathies, or the neuropathologies primarily caused by the abnormal aggregation of specific proteins in the brain, are a defining factor in most, if not all, neurodegenerative disorders. The diversity of proteinopathies is increased by abnormal transcription, RNA modifications, and post-translation modifications, and the mechanisms leading to protein aggregation, and linking proteinopathy to downstream neurodegeneration, are not fully understood. Recently, emerging evidence provides new mechanisms by which proteinopathies cause common neurodegenerative disorders, e.g. in association with different brain cell types. Therefore, understanding the mechanisms leading to protein aggregation and the relationship between protein aggregation and neurodegeneration in different cellular types is imperative for our understanding of neurodegenerative disorders and the development of novel therapeutics.

The focus of this Research Topic is to review the current state of the field and to provide new evidence with respect to proteinopathies, focusing on pathology and the molecular mechanisms linking protein aggregation to neurodegeneration. There are currently no cures. This is an opportunity for colleagues to collaborate globally and present their findings.

We would welcome review articles as well as primary research within the scope of neurodegenerative proteinopathies. Articles covering the following areas would be welcomed:

· Pathology of neurodegenerative proteinopathies

· Disease mechanisms linking protein aggregation to neurodegeneration

· Therapeutic approaches to prevent or ameliorate proteinopathies: biochemical, genetic, and cellular

· Disease modeling of common neuropathological hallmarks


Dr. Sean James Miller is the Chief Executive Officer & Founder of Pluripotent Diagnostics Corp. The other Topic Editors declare no competing interests with regard to the Research Topic subject.