About this Research Topic
Research in neurodegenerative disease has traditionally focused on the study of neuronal populations and their associated phenotypes. However, the roles of both glia and the immune system are increasingly coming into the spotlight for several neurodegenerative diseases, with glia often at the core of disease onset and development. Microglia have been shown to be crucial for the pathophysiology of Alzheimer’s disease. Likewise, these cells have been shown to be altered together with their counterparts in the periphery, in Parkinson’s disease. It has been shown that microglial activation can lead to the activation of astrocytes; reactive astrocytes have been shown to be present in Alzheimer’s, Huntington’s, Parkinson’s, ALS, and Multiple Sclerosis. This highlights the need to further investigate the roles of glial cells in neurodegeneration.
While it is now established that glial cells are crucial in the development of neurodegenerative disorders, we still lack detailed information on the roles they play in this process. Which disease mechanism/s do they contribute to? How do they elicit neurotoxic or neuroprotective roles? At which stage of disease are they implicated? How do these processes affect neuronal function or contribute to neuronal homeostasis? Answering these questions is crucial in order to develop disease modifying therapies that will protect neuro-glial-function and return the brain to healthy aging.
In this Research Topic, we welcome the submission of research articles, short reports, case studies and traditional reviews. We aim to provide a forum for scientific communications, evidence-based discussion, opinions, and perspectives on the latest advancements in neurodegenerative diseases and the role of glia in their pathophysiology. We particularly encourage submission of reports on:
- Molecular mechanisms, genetics, proteomics, and/or metabolomics of glial cells in neurodegenerative diseases
- Studies of therapeutic interventions for neurodegenerative diseases involving glia
- Studies that address the use and limitations of current preclinical animal models, and recent advances in in-vitro and humanized models of glial cells
Keywords: Neurodegeneration, Glial Cells, Dementia, 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.
