Abstract

Aging-related neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) are the culmination of many different genetic and environmental influences. Prior studies have shown that RNAs are pathologically altered during the inexorable course of some NDs. Recent evidence suggests that microRNAs (miRNAs) may be a contributing factor in neurodegeneration. miRNAs are brain-enriched, small (~22 nucleotides) non-coding RNAs that participate in mRNA translational regulation. Although discovered in the framework of worm development, miRNAs are now appreciated to play a dynamic role in many mammalian brain-related biochemical pathways, including neuroplasticity and stress responses. Research about miRNAs in the context of neurodegeneration is accumulating rapidly, and the goal of this review is to provide perspective for these new data that may be helpful to specialists in either field. An overview is provided about the normal functions for miRNAs, including some of the newer concepts related to the human brain. Recently published studies pertaining to the roles of miRNAs in NDs––including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and triplet repeat disorders—are described. Finally, a discussion is included with theoretical syntheses and possible future directions in exploring the nexus between miRNA and ND research.

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-2008

Notes/Citation Information

Published in Brain Pathology, v. 18, issue 1, p. 130-138.

© 2007 The Authors

This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Nelson, P. T., Wang, W. and Rajeev, B. W. (2008), MicroRNAs (miRNAs) in Neurodegenerative Diseases. Brain Pathology, 18: 130-138, which has been published in final form at https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1750-3639.2007.00120.x. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Use of Self-Archived Versions.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1750-3639.2007.00120.x

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