Extracellular vesicles: a novel promising tool in neurological diseases. Pathogenesis, diagnosis, and therapy.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have recently attracted a great deal of interest as they may represent a new biosignaling paradigm. According to the mode of biogenesis, size and composition, two broad categories of EVs have been described, exosomes and microvesicles. EVs have been shown to carry cargoes of signaling proteins, RNA species, DNA and lipids. Once released, their content is selectively taken up by near or distant target cells, influencing their behavior.

EVs can act as regulators of normal homeostasis, but they can also promote either neuroinflammation/degeneration or tissue repair in pathological conditions, depending on their content. Since EV molecular cargo constitutes a representation of the origin cell status, EVs can be exploited in the diagnosis of several diseases. Due to their capability to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB), EVs not only have been suggested for the diagnosis of central nervous system disorders by means of minimally invasive procedures, i.e., "liquid biopsies", but they are also considered attractive tools for targeted drug delivery across the BBB.

In this Research topic we will try to better clarify the roles of EVs as mediators of intercellular communication under physiological and pathological conditions in the Neurological system. Moreover, we would extend the knowledge about the potential application of EVs in the diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases.

In this special issue, we welcome manuscripts addressing original research, as well as review papers and short communications trying to highlight EV roles:

- As diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers;

- As next-generation drug delivery platform for neurological pathologies treatment;

- As indicator of treatment efficacy;