About this Research Topic
This Research Topic is launched in collaboration with the international conference on “Brain Aging, Neurodegeneration and the Role of Natural Compounds in Maintaining Brain Health” held at the Polish Academy of Sciences Scientific Station in Paris. We welcome manuscripts from attendees and non-attendees alike.
Neurodegenerative diseases are complex age-related brain disorders with multiple dysfunctional pathways. Contributing factors, including pathological protein aggregation, synaptic and neuronal network dysfunction, aberrant proteostasis, cytoskeletal abnormalities, altered energy homeostasis, genetic defects, and inflammation, are well-established features of neurodegeneration leading to inevitable cell loss. There is also a growing body of evidence of the involvement of the gut-brain axis consisting of bidirectional communication between the enteric bacteria and the central nervous system via hormonal, neural, and immune pathways. The resulting combined effects of toxic gain and loss of function are suggested to contribute to the multihit process driving neurodegeneration; however, the mechanism remains unclear, and no effective disease-modifying treatments exist. The concept of brain health has emerged as an element of a holistic neuroprotective strategy.
Therefore, interest in the identification of neuroprotective compounds or dietary interventions is increasing. In this context, polyphenols and their metabolites, due to a broad range of biological activities, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, apoptosis, and autophagy modulating effects, have been highlighted as a valuable source for strengthening neuroprotection, also through the gut-brain axis. Given the complexity of the framework, quantifying release patterns of key molecules involved in the crosstalks is critical for their effective manipulation. Thus, more research is needed on naturally occurring bioactive compounds with brain-health-promoting features for multi-target modulation in preventing neurodegenerative diseases or alleviating their symptoms.
Potential topics include but are not limited to the following:
- Unraveling molecular aspects of neurodegeneration and the role of the gut-brain axis in neurodegenerative diseases
- Neuroprotective role of phytochemicals and their metabolites
- Effect of nutrition on the brain
- Repurposing of drugs and natural compounds as a potential new hope to prevent neurodegeneration as an efficient and economical way of alternative therapy
- Multimodal approaches for understanding neurodegeneration and holistic neuroprotection
Neurodegenerative diseases are complex age-related brain disorders with multiple dysfunctional pathways. Contributing factors, including pathological protein aggregation, synaptic and neuronal network dysfunction, aberrant proteostasis, cytoskeletal abnormalities, altered energy homeostasis, genetic defects, and inflammation, are well-established features of neurodegeneration leading to inevitable cell loss. There is also a growing body of evidence of the involvement of the gut-brain axis consisting of bidirectional communication between the enteric bacteria and the central nervous system via hormonal, neural, and immune pathways. The resulting combined effects of toxic gain and loss of function are suggested to contribute to the multihit process driving neurodegeneration; however, the mechanism remains unclear, and no effective disease-modifying treatments exist. The concept of brain health has emerged as an element of a holistic neuroprotective strategy.
Therefore, interest in the identification of neuroprotective compounds or dietary interventions is increasing. In this context, polyphenols and their metabolites, due to a broad range of biological activities, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, apoptosis, and autophagy modulating effects, have been highlighted as a valuable source for strengthening neuroprotection, also through the gut-brain axis. Given the complexity of the framework, quantifying release patterns of key molecules involved in the crosstalks is critical for their effective manipulation. Thus, more research is needed on naturally occurring bioactive compounds with brain-health-promoting features for multi-target modulation in preventing neurodegenerative diseases or alleviating their symptoms.
Potential topics include but are not limited to the following:
- Unraveling molecular aspects of neurodegeneration and the role of the gut-brain axis in neurodegenerative diseases
- Neuroprotective role of phytochemicals and their metabolites
- Effect of nutrition on the brain
- Repurposing of drugs and natural compounds as a potential new hope to prevent neurodegeneration as an efficient and economical way of alternative therapy
- Multimodal approaches for understanding neurodegeneration and holistic neuroprotection
Keywords: neurodegeneration, gut-brain-axis, polyphenols, omics, diet, aging, microbiota, prion
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