Dear Colleagues,

Molecular and cellular microRNA (miRNA) research in the central nervous system represents the exploration of a new frontier of miRNA biology and the potential development of new translational insight for neurological disease. In recent years our understanding of molecular mechanisms by which miRNAs regulate gene expression, and their functional roles, has been expanded. MicroRNAs are a large family of conserved small, 20–22 length nucleotides, non-coding RNAs, widely expressed in all organisms and highly expressed in the human central nervous system. MiRNAs regulate neuronal gene expression and play a pivotal role in physiological and pathological diseases. Basic and clinical research has demonstrated miRNA dysregulation in several acute and chronic neurological disorders. The collection of data on the association between human brain diseases and miRNAs has focused on expression profiles of miRNAs and their quantitative modulation according to age, gender, phase of the disease, and a specific brain area. Given the importance that miRNAs might play in neuropathology, several strategies to manipulate miRNA activity and their expression are being pursued. The main challenge for miRNA therapeutics in neurology, beyond stability and safety, is their delivery to the appropriate tissue and neurons.

The aim of this Special Issue entitled ‘MicroRNAs in Central Nervous System Disorders: molecular, cellular and translational neuroscience’ is to explore the recent progress on miRNAs and future directions, in the neurobiology of neurological and psychiatric diseases. Original and review articles from this Special Issue will provide recent molecular, cellular, and translational neuroscience studies that highlight the role of miRNAs in Central Nervous System Disorders.

Dr. Christian Barbato 
Guest Editor