Neurodegenerative diseases and dementia are characterized by the progressive degeneration of the structure and function of the nervous system. These conditions are often interconnected, sharing common pathways of neuronal damage and loss, leading to a decline in cognitive functions, memory, and various motor skills. Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) are among the most recognized neurodegenerative disorders, each with its unique pathology but overlapping in their devastating impact on patients.

The link between aging and the increased risk of neurodegenerative diseases and dementia is a complex interplay of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. Aging is accompanied by various changes in the brain, including neuron loss, inflammation, and the accumulation of abnormal proteins, which may contribute to the development and progression of these diseases.

At the core of neurodegenerative diseases and dementia is the gradual loss of neurons and synapses, the essential components for transmitting signals throughout the brain. This neuronal degradation leads to the symptoms commonly associated with these conditions: memory loss, confusion, impaired judgment, personality changes, and difficulty with movement. The exact causes of neurodegenerative diseases remain largely elusive, though a combination of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors is believed to contribute to their development.

Recent advances in medical research have begun to shed light on the mechanisms underlying these diseases, offering hope for early diagnosis and more effective treatments. Breakthroughs in genetic analysis, imaging techniques, and biomarker discovery have improved our understanding of disease progression and facilitated the development of targeted therapies. Despite these advancements, the battle against neurodegenerative diseases and dementia is ongoing, with scientists and clinicians worldwide striving to unravel the complexities of these conditions to find curative treatments, ultimately aiming to restore cognitive and motor functions, thereby improving the quality of life for millions affected.

This Research Topic is aiming to gather the most up-to-date knowledge on neurodegenerative diseases and dementia. This collection welcomes, but is not limited to original research, reviews, mini reviews, short reports in the following research areas:

• Advancement in neurobiological mechanisms including Genetic basis, cellular and molecular mechanism.

• Regulation of biological processes in neurodegenerative diseases and dementia .

• Neuroimaging and Biomarkers for assessing progression in neurodegeneration and cognitive decline with respect to age.

• Multi-omics approaches and translational tools to study neurodegenerative diseases and dementia.

• Study involving therapeutic targets and potential therapy for preventing and improving diseases.

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Frontiers in Genetics

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