TY - CHAP A1 - Mumtaz, Mehvish A1 - Hussain, Nazim A1 - Salam, Sidra A1 - Azam, Hafiz Muhammad Husnain A1 - Łukasik, Natalia A1 - Kim, Tak H. A1 - Santos, José Cleiton Sousa dos A1 - Schmidt, Jens Ejbye T1 - Chitosan-based nanomaterials for removal of water pollutants T2 - Chitosan-Based Hybrid Nanomaterials Y1 - 2024 SN - 9780443218910 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-443-21891-0.00016-0 SP - 291 EP - 318 PB - Elsevier ER - TY - GEN A1 - Azam, Hafiz Muhammad Husnain A1 - Mumtaz, Mehvish A1 - Rödiger, Stefan A1 - Schierack, Peter A1 - Hussain, Nazim A1 - Aisha, Ambreen T1 - MicroRNAs in neurodegenerative diseases : from molecular mechanisms to clinical biomarkers, detection methods and therapeutic strategies—advances and challenges T2 - Neurological sciences N2 - Neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) pose significant challenges in early detection and treatment due to their complex pathophysiology and heterogeneous clinical presentations. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), small noncoding RNAs that regulate gene expression, have emerged as promising diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets in NDDs. Pathological examination of affected tissues reveals early synaptic dysfunction, protein misfolding, and neuroinflammation occur prior to overt clinical symptoms, highlighting the importance of sensitive diagnostics approaches in prodromal stages. This review summarizes for researchers on the role of miRNAs in NDDs by examining their diagnostic potential in biofluids such as blood and cerebrospinal fluid, and their therapeutic applicability through inhibition or replacement strategies. Literature from peer-reviewed databases was assessed with a focus on recent advances in molecular detection platforms, computational modeling of miRNA–mRNA interactions, and preclinical/clinical investigations. More than 2600 human miRNAs have been identified, collectively regulating over half of mammalian protein-coding genes. Quantitative methodologies, particularly reverse transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR), enable reliable miRNA profiling, facilitating early diagnosis and prognosis of NDDs. Therapeutic strategies, including antagomirs, mimics, sponges and viral or non-viral delivery systems, show promise in modulating disease pathways. However, significant challenges remain, including variability in miRNA extraction and quantification protocols, off-target effects, delivery barriers across the blood brain barrier and limited reproducibility across studies. MiRNAs represent a class of molecular tools with potential to transform diagnostics and therapeutics in NDDs. Future research should prioritize methodological standardization, validation in large multicenter cohorts, and improved computational approaches to elucidate miRNA-mediated regulatory networks in NDDs. Replication studies and translational research are essential harnessing the the full clinical utility of miRNAs in the management of Alzheimer disease, Parkinson disease and other NDDs. KW - MicroRNA KW - Neurodegenerative diseases KW - Alzheimer’s disease KW - Parkinson’s disease KW - Huntington’s disease KW - Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis KW - Diagnostic biomarkers KW - MiRNA-based therapeutics KW - Molecular diagnostics KW - Gene regulation KW - Biofluid biomarkers KW - Delivery technologies KW - Neuroinflammation KW - RT-qPCR KW - NGS KW - Clinical translation Y1 - 2025 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1007/s10072-025-08419-w SN - 1590-3478 PB - Springer CY - Milano ER -