This Research Topic is the second volume in a series with:

Molecular Dynamics of Cognitive-Motor impairment in Neurodegenerative Diseases

Neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, are characterized by progressive cognitive, motor, and behavioral impairments that significantly diminish patients' quality of life. These conditions are marked by neuronal dysfunction and the accumulation of misfolded proteins like amyloid-beta, tau, and alpha-synuclein, which result from deficiencies in the ubiquitin–proteosome–autophagy system, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and neuroinflammatory processes.

Despite the overlap in symptoms across different neurodegenerative diseases, there are also unique intraindividual differences that complicate diagnosis and treatment. Current research has highlighted the need for a deeper understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying these diseases, particularly the interplay between cognitive and motor impairments. However, significant gaps remain in our knowledge, especially regarding the management of neurodegenerative diseases that exhibit both motor and cognitive features.

This research topic aims to explore the molecular dynamics of cognitive-motor impairment in neurodegenerative diseases to develop disease-modifying therapies. The primary objectives include investigating the common molecular etiologies and pathophysiological features of neurodegeneration, with a focus on the interplay between cognitive and motor impairments.

Specific questions to be addressed include:

- What are the molecular mechanisms driving the overlap between cognitive and motor symptoms?
- How do pathogenic proteins interact synergistically in neurodegeneration?
- What role does neuroplasticity play in the progression of these diseases?

To gather further insights into the molecular dynamics of cognitive-motor impairment in neurodegenerative diseases, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:
- Motor and cognitive features characterizing “physiological” aging processes.
- Neurodegeneration-guided pathological aging with cognitive and motor abnormalities.
- Neuroplasticity at cortical synapses in people with dementia and movement disorders.
- Synergistic mechanisms between pathogenic proteins in neurodegeneration.
- Molecular crosstalk between overlapping neurodegenerative disease phenotypes.

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Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience

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