Aquaporins, glymphatic dynamics, and the molecular mechanisms of neurodegenerative brain aging

Aquaporins (AQPs) are fundamental membrane proteins involved in the regulation of water and solute transport across cellular barriers in the central nervous system. In recent years, the significance of AQPs, particularly AQP4, in maintaining cerebral homeostasis has been increasingly recognized, especially in the context of brain aging and neurodegenerative diseases. While their classical function centers on fluid balance, emerging evidence shows that aquaporins are implicated in processes such as neuroinflammation, glymphatic clearance, and blood-brain barrier integrity. Despite continued advances, major questions remain regarding the precise contributions of aquaporins to neurodegenerative pathology, the interplay between different AQP subtypes, and their potential as therapeutic targets for age-related neurological disorders.This Research Topic aims to explain the cellular and molecular mechanisms by which aquaporins contribute to the maintenance and disruption of cerebral homeostasis in aging and neurodegenerative contexts. By fostering a dialogue between neurobiology, molecular physiology, and clinical research, this collection seeks to shed light on the roles of AQPs in pathophysiological processes, such as impaired glymphatic flow, edema formation, and neuroinflammatory cascades. Key objectives include identifying new links between aquaporin function and the progression of neurodegenerative diseases, characterizing subtype-specific roles, and exploring opportunities for therapeutic intervention.This Research Topic broadly covers studies investigating the involvement of aquaporins in age-related brain changes and neurodegeneration, but does not extend to non-neural aquaporin functions. To gather further insights in this area, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:o Structural and functional diversity of aquaporins in the central nervous systemo Role of AQP4 and other subtypes in glymphatic system function and dysfunctiono Aquaporins in the regulation of neuroinflammation and oxidative stresso Mechanistic studies linking aquaporins to blood-brain barrier dynamics in neurodegenerationo Novel therapeutic strategies targeting aquaporin pathways in brain aging and diseaseo Methodological advances for studying aquaporin expression and function in neural tissuesWe invite the submission of original research articles, reviews, mini-reviews, and methodological reports within the scope of this Research Topic. Topic editors: Adriana Ximenes-da-Silva, Miriam Echevarria Irusta Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/78896/aquaporins-glymphatic-dynamics-and-the-molecular-mechanisms-of-neurodegenerative-brain-aging