Non-coding RNAs as Drivers and Biomarkers of Brain Aging and Age-Related Neurodegeneration

Non-coding RNAs, including microRNAs, long non-coding RNAs and circular RNAs, regulate gene expression at multiple levels and are increasingly linked to neurological disease. They shape neuronal development, synaptic function, stress responses and glial signalling, and their dysregulation has been documented across Alzheimer’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, epilepsy and frontotemporal dementia. Their stability in blood, cerebrospinal fluid and extracellular vesicles also makes them attractive candidates for minimally invasive biomarkers. Despite this progress, their contribution to brain ageing itself is not well defined. Disease-focused and ageing-focused non-coding RNA research have developed largely as separate literatures, so it remains unclear which changes reflect normal ageing, which are disease specific, and which mark the transition between the two. Resolving this distinction is essential if non-coding RNAs are to serve as mechanistic targets or as reliable biomarkers of neuronal decline in the ageing brain.This Research Topic aims to bring together disease-focused and ageing-focused non-coding RNA research to clarify how non-coding RNA dysregulation contributes to, or marks, age-related neuronal decline and neurodegeneration. We seek studies characterising non-coding RNA changes in models of brain ageing and age-related disease, and mechanistic work linking specific microRNAs, transferRNA derived fragments, long non-coding RNAs and circular RNAs to neuronal vulnerability, synaptic dysfunction and cellular stress responses. We particularly welcome contributions that compare non-coding RNA dysregulation in disease models, such as Alzheimer’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, epilepsy and frontotemporal dementia , against normal ageing, since this comparison is essential to distinguish disease-specific signals from changes occurring during healthy ageing. Studies evaluating circulating or biofluid-based non-coding RNAs as biomarkers of brain ageing are also encouraged, including work on standardisation, reproducibility and validation across cohorts. By integrating these perspectives, the collection seeks to establish which non-coding RNA changes are causal drivers, which are useful markers, and how each can be translated into practical application.We welcome submissions addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:• Non-coding RNA changes in models of brain ageing and age-related disease• Mechanistic links between non-coding RNAs and neuronal vulnerability or cell death• Non-coding RNA regulation of synaptic function and plasticity in the ageing brain• Non-coding RNAs in cellular stress responses, proteostasis and mitochondrial function• Circulating and biofluid-based non-coding RNAs as biomarkers of brain ageing• Comparisons of non-coding RNA dysregulation in disease models against normal ageing• Microglial and astrocytic non-coding RNA signatures in neuroinflammation• Methodological advances in non-coding RNA detection, profiling and validation• Integration of non-coding RNA data with multi-omic, imaging and clinical measures• Therapeutic strategies targeting non-coding RNAs in age-related neurodegenerationWe encourage a wide range of submissions, including original research, methods papers, brief research reports, data reports, systematic reviews, mini reviews and perspectives. Topic editors: Vamshidhar R Vangoor, Sabrina Carrella Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/86209/non-coding-rnas-as-drivers-and-biomarkers-of-brain-aging-and-age-related-neurodegeneration