Annals of Medicine

Neurodegenerative Disorders: Molecular Mechanisms, Diagnostic Advances, and Emerging Therapies

Neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Huntington's disease (HD), and spinocerebellar ataxias (SCAs), represent a group of progressive, debilitating conditions characterized by the loss of neuronal structure and function. These disorders often present with complex and overlapping symptoms, making diagnosis and treatment particularly challenging. In recent years, advances in molecular biology, genetics, epigenetics, and high-throughput genomics platforms have greatly enhanced our understanding of disease mechanisms. Simultaneously, novel diagnostic platforms, including spatial transcriptomics, advanced imaging, and biomarker discovery, are transforming how clinicians identify and monitor disease progression. This Article Collection aims to bring together cutting-edge research that explores the intricate molecular landscape of neurodegenerative disorders while highlighting innovations in diagnosis and therapeutic development.

The global burden of neurodegenerative disorders is increasing rapidly due to aging populations and limited curative treatments. These diseases not only cause significant personal and societal suffering but also place a heavy economic strain on healthcare systems. A deeper understanding of the molecular and cellular pathways involved in neurodegeneration is urgently needed to identify reliable diagnostic biomarkers and develop disease-modifying therapies. Recent technological innovations have opened new avenues for early detection, patient stratification, and precision medicine approaches, yet many fundamental questions remain unanswered. By fostering collaboration and dissemination of interdisciplinary research, this Article Collection seeks to drive progress in the early diagnosis and effective treatment of these devastating disorders. Contributions to this Collection may also help shape future clinical strategies and therapeutic development pipelines.

This Article Collection welcomes original research and perspectives related to the molecular and clinical aspects of neurodegenerative disorders. Submissions may explore disease mechanisms such as protein misfolding, mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and genetic mutations. We also invite contributions on diagnostic innovations, including fluid and imaging biomarkers, spatial omics, and machine learning applications in disease classification.

Articles addressing therapeutic development—from drug discovery and gene therapy to clinical trials and real-world effectiveness studies—are particularly encouraged. In accordance with the journals Aims and Scope, articles focused on translational research bridging molecular findings with their implications for diagnosis, prognosis, and patient care are welcome.

Keywords:

1. Neurodegeneration
2. Molecular mechanisms
3. Biomarkers
4. Diagnostic innovations
5. Therapeutic development

Guest Advisors:

Dr. Zehuan Liao­­, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, USA

Dr. Zehuan Liao works at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, specializing in investigating how genetic mutations and dysregulations affect human health. His current research focuses on uncovering the molecular mechanisms underlying neurodegenerative diseases such as spinocerebellar ataxia and identifying novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. Using interdisciplinary approaches, Dr. Liao integrates spatial transcriptomics, gene editing, and systems biology to study brain degeneration. He has authored several high-impact publications and collaborates extensively across international research networks. Passionate about translational science, Dr. Liao aims to bridge the gap between basic research and clinical application.

Dr. Qian Wu, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, USA

Dr. Qian Wu works at Johns Hopkins University, where she investigates RNA‐based therapies for neurodegenerative disease. She earned her Doctor of Medicine in Diagnostics of Traditional Chinese Medicine from Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, completing a two-year neurobiology training as a visiting student at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Dr. Wu’s research first sought to determine whether the CRISPR/CasRx system could target and effectively silence the HTT associated with Huntington’s disease. Her current work focuses on investigating RNA-targeting technologies such as U1 small nuclear RNA, specifically for Huntington’s disease and related CNS diseases, and exploring non-invasive delivery biomedical technologies such as focused ultrasound to minimize the surgical risk and enhance clinical applications. Dr. Wu intends to continue research on advancing RNA-based therapeutics, gene-editing technologies, transcriptomics and network pharmacology to develop innovative treatments for CNS diseases.

Dr. Lida Du, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, USA

Dr. Lida Du is a pharmacologist and neuroscientist specializing in neuropsychopharmacology. He has extensive experience in postdoctoral research and has held faculty positions in neurobiology and pharmacology. His research focuses on understanding neurodegenerative disease mechanisms, identifying pharmacological targets, and developing translational strategies to enhance brain health. Dr. Du has led multidisciplinary research teams and collaborated with academic institutions and industry partners on various projects, including disease modeling, neurovascular imaging, and immune profiling. His recent work investigates the role of immune regulation and fluid clearance pathways—specifically, the glymphatic and meningeal lymphatic systems—in the progression of Huntington’s disease.

Dr. Hongshuai Liu, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, USA

Dr. Hongshuai Liu is a Research Associate in the Department of Psychiatry at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. He earned his Ph.D. in Neuropharmacology from the Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine and completed postdoctoral training in neurodegenerative disease research at Johns Hopkins. Dr. Liu’s work integrates neuroimmunology, neuroimaging, and translational neuroscience, with a focus on the glymphatic system and its role in Huntington’s disease (HD). His research has contributed to the development of novel imaging biomarkers and noninvasive therapeutic strategies for HD. He has also identified small molecules from traditional Chinese medicine for treating multiple sclerosis. Dr. Liu has received multiple awards and serves as a topic editor for Frontiers in Psychiatry.

All manuscripts submitted to this Article Collection will undergo a full peer-review; the Guest Advisor for this Collection will not be handling the manuscripts (unless they are an Editorial Board member). The Guest Advisors declare no Conflict of Interests.

Please review the journal scope and author submission instructions prior to submitting a manuscript.

The deadline for submitting manuscripts is 31st July 2026.

Please contact Francis Straw at [email protected] with any queries and discount codes regarding this Article Collection.

Please be sure to select the appropriate Article Collection from the drop-down menu in the submission system. Please select Neurology from the list of available sections during submission. Failure to select the appropriate Article Collection or Section name can result in delays.