Genetics and epigenetics in neurodegenerative diseases

Dear Colleagues,

For most neurodegenerative diseases, such as the Alzheimer’s disease, the molecular mechanisms responsible for disease origin are not yet clear. Understanding these mechanisms, especially those occurring at the initial disease stages, is essential to develop safe and effective treatments, as well as implementing adequate prevention measures. There are many genes identified as involved in the process of neurodegeneration (such as MAPT, APP, PSEN1, PSEN2, etc.), as well as several epigenetic modifications such as DNA methylation, and histone modifications that frequently occur in these pathologies. Moreover, lifestyle choices such as diet, drug abuse, alcohol use, and environmental pollution likely contribute to the development of neurodegenerative disease. A targeted approach for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases could be anchored on the use of natural molecules for pharmacological therapy; however, the identification of salient pharmacologic targets of neurodegeneration is needed to develop a rational prevention strategy.

In this Special Issue we are seeking original research articles or literature reviews that provide state-of-the-art insight into the molecular events that give rise to neurodegeneration. We also seek contributions that highlight the genetic basis of neurodegenerative disease such as genes and their products involved in metabolic pathways altered during neurodegeneration, and epigenetic modifications and chromatin reorganization related to the alteration of the gene function during this disease process. Articles describing natural compounds that have neuroprotective effects which could be leveraged for treatment of neurodegenerative disorders are also welcomed.

Prof. Salvatore Saccone and Dr. Concetta Federico

Guest Editors

Manuscripts should be submitted via our online editorial system at https://imr.propub.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to start your submission. Manuscripts can be submitted now or up until the deadline. All papers will go through peer-review process. Accepted papers will be published in the journal (as soon as accepted) and meanwhile listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, reviews as well as short communications are preferred. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office to announce on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts will be thoroughly refereed through a double-blind peer-review process. Please visit the Instruction for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) in this open access journal is 2500 USD. Submitted manuscripts should be well formatted in good English.