Neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) such as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD), Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), Parkinson’s Disease (PD), and Huntington Disease (HD) are projected to become the second leading cause of death by 2040, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Despite the availability of conventional treatments like medications, therapies, and lifestyle adjustments, these interventions primarily manage symptoms rather than halt or reverse disease progression. Recent research has focused on developing therapies that can modify the underlying degenerative processes. A significant challenge in treating NDDs is the blood-brain barrier (BBB), a dynamic interface that protects the brain but also obstructs drug delivery. Traditional treatment options have largely been unsuccessful, with 190 investigational new drugs failing in clinical trials. The development of non-invasive drug delivery systems, particularly those involving small molecules, has

In 2015, dementia affected 50 million people worldwide, and this number is projected to rise to 152 million by 2050 (WHO, 2019). Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) is often seen as an intermediate stage between healthy cognitive aging and dementia. Given the growing population affected by dementia, it is crucial to understand the onset of MCI, its progression to dementia, and the interventions that can prevent or slow down neurodegeneration.The goal of this Research Topic is to highlight the latest advancements in the study of MCI and cognitive aging globally, showcasing the high-quality work of internationally recognized researchers. Several critical questions need to be addressed to enhance our understanding of the relationship between MCI and cognitive aging. These include: identifying which cognitive processes are most sensitive to aging and becoming impaired; determining which interventions are effective for preserving cognitive functioning in old age; understanding the importance of

The 42nd Annual Meeting of the Australasian Neuroscience Society (ANS) will be held in Perth, Western Australia between December 2nd-4th 2024. To highlight this event, Frontiers in Neurology and Frontiers in Neuroscience are collaborating with the ANS to spotlight important themes from the conference in two Research Topics: ‘New Insights in Neuroimaging’ in Frontiers in Neurology, and ‘New Insights in Neurodegeneration’ in Frontiers in Neuroscience.Research into neurodegenerative diseases has come a long way in terms of underlying mechanisms, biomarkers, and potential treatments. Specifically, recent advances in fluid and imaging biomarkers for Alzheimer’s disease and the treatments that are already on the market or are under investigation are promising. These recent advances, however, require further scrutiny to identify and clarify their shortcomings and propose new approaches and methods that can be close to ideal in terms of accessibility, time and cost-effectiveness, and side effe

The cortico-basal ganglia loop is generally thought to be organized into a parallel loop architecture, with segregated circuits subserving limbic, cognitive, motor, and sensory processing spatially separated across subregions of the striatum; the main input nucleus of the basal ganglia. Traditionally, investigators tend to focus on only one of these regions, identifying some functional role of just one subregion at a time in controlling behavior. As such, a widely held dogma has occurred, whereby the ventral striatum (or nucleus accumbens) is implicated in regulating motivation, hunger/satiety, and reward-related to drugs of abuse, with subregions of the core and shell having debatable separate roles. Conversely, the dorsal striatum is generally studied in relation to motor learning and action, albeit with its own subregions of dorsomedial, dorsolateral, and posterior that relate to cognitive, motor, and sensory, respectively.Recently, new evidence has cast doubt on the segregated natu

The 42nd Annual Meeting of the Australasian Neuroscience Society (ANS) will be held in Perth, Western Australia between December 2nd-4th 2024. To highlight this event, Frontiers in Neurology and Frontiers in Neuroscience are collaborating with the ANS to spotlight important themes from the conference in two Research Topics: ‘New Insights in Neuroimaging’ in Frontiers in Neurology, and ‘New Insights in Neurodegeneration’ in Frontiers in Neuroscience.Research into neurodegenerative diseases has come a long way in terms of underlying mechanisms, biomarkers, and potential treatments. Specifically, recent advances in fluid and imaging biomarkers for Alzheimer’s disease and the treatments that are already on the market or are under investigation are promising. These recent advances, however, require further scrutiny to identify and clarify their shortcomings and propose new approaches and methods that can be close to ideal in terms of accessibility, time and cost-effectiveness, and side effe

The field of bioelectronic implants has seen significant advancements, particularly in the development of neural implants that can restore motor and sensory functions and address various brain diseases and disorders. These implants, which utilize microelectrode arrays and depth electrodes, have shown great promise in recording and stimulating the nervous system. However, a major challenge remains in ensuring their long-term functionality in vivo. Over time, these electrodes, whether rigid metallic probes or flexible microelectrodes, often fail due to immune responses, biofouling, fluid absorption from ineffective encapsulation, and mechanical damage. Addressing these longevity barriers is crucial for the successful translation of these technologies from the laboratory to clinical settings. Recent studies have highlighted the need for more effective encapsulation materials and methods to enhance the durability and performance of these implants. Despite ongoing research, there is still a