Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 16, 2026

Harnessing the Power of MicroRNA Cargoes in Small Extracellular Vesicles Released from Fresh-Frozen Human Brain Sections
07:55

Harnessing the Power of MicroRNA Cargoes in Small Extracellular Vesicles Released from Fresh-Frozen Human Brain Sections

Published on: November 8, 2024

976

The emerging role of microRNAs in Alzheimer's disease

Grazia D Femminella1, Nicola Ferrara1, Giuseppe Rengo2

  • 1Department of Translational Medical Sciences, Federico II University Naples, Italy.

Frontiers in Physiology
|March 3, 2015
PubMed

Insights

MicroRNAs (miRNAs), small molecules regulating genes, show altered expression in neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's disease (AD). Circulating miRNAs are promising, non-invasive biomarkers for AD diagnosis and prognosis.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Genetics
  • Neuroscience

Background:

  • MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression.
  • Altered miRNA expression is linked to neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the biological role of miRNAs in AD.
  • To explore the potential of circulating miRNAs as biomarkers for AD diagnosis and prognosis.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of miRNA biology and its implications in AD pathophysiology.
  • Analysis of studies identifying AD-specific miRNAs and their targets.

Main Results:

  • Specific miRNAs are consistently identified as AD-specific.
  • Targets of these miRNAs are implicated in AD pathophysiological processes.
  • Circulating miRNAs represent promising non-invasive biomarkers for AD.

Conclusions:

  • miRNAs play a significant role in AD.
  • Circulating miRNAs hold potential as future diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for AD.
Keywords:
Alzheimer's diseasebiomarkerfunctional recoverygene expressionmicroRNAsneurodegeneration

More Related Videos

Quantitative 3D In Silico Modeling q3DISM of Cerebral Amyloid-beta Phagocytosis in Rodent Models of Alzheimer's Disease09:33

Quantitative 3D In Silico Modeling q3DISM of Cerebral Amyloid-beta Phagocytosis in Rodent Models of Alzheimer's Disease

Published on: December 26, 2016

8.6K
Author Spotlight: Exploring Sex-Specific Glial Signatures and Therapeutic Leads for Alzheimer's Disease04:22

Author Spotlight: Exploring Sex-Specific Glial Signatures and Therapeutic Leads for Alzheimer's Disease

Published on: May 20, 2024

1.6K

Related Concept Videos

MicroRNAs01:22

MicroRNAs

MicroRNA (miRNA) are short, regulatory RNA transcribed from introns (non-coding regions of a gene) or intergenic regions (stretches of DNA present between genes). Several processing steps are required to form biologically active, mature miRNA. The initial transcript, called primary miRNA (pri-mRNA), base-pairs with itself, forming a stem-loop structure. Within the nucleus, an endonuclease enzyme, called Drosha, shortens the stem-loop structure into hairpin-shaped pre-miRNA. After the pre-miRNA...
4.4K
MicroRNAs01:22

MicroRNAs

MicroRNA (miRNA) are short, regulatory RNA transcribed from introns—non-coding regions of a gene—or intergenic regions—stretches of DNA present between genes. Several processing steps are required to form biologically active, mature miRNA. The initial transcript, called primary miRNA (pri-mRNA), base-pairs with itself forming a stem-loop structure. Within the nucleus, an endonuclease enzyme, called Drosha, shortens the stem-loop structure into hairpin-shaped pre-miRNA. After...
24.9K
MicroRNAs01:22

MicroRNAs

12.1K
Alzheimer's Disease: Overview01:26

Alzheimer's Disease: Overview

Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is a continually advancing neurodegenerative disorder, distinguished by escalating memory loss, cognitive dysfunction, and dementia. The disease unfolds in three stages: preclinical, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and dementia. Its onset is insidious, and the progression gradual, with the cause not well explained by other disorders.
The clinical diagnosis of AD hinges on the presence of memory and other cognitive impairments. Biomarkers, such as changes in Aβ...
2.0K
Alzheimer's Disease: Treatment01:22

Alzheimer's Disease: Treatment

Alzheimer's Disease (AD), a neurodegenerative disorder, is pathologically identified by amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles composed of tau protein. AD pharmacotherapy aims to manage cognitive symptoms, delay disease progression, and treat behavioral symptoms. The treatment is primarily symptomatic and palliative, with no definitive disease-modifying therapy available. Cholinesterase inhibitors, including donepezil (Aricept), rivastigmine (Exelon), and galantamine (Razadyne), are...
1.3K
siRNA - Small Interfering RNAs02:30

siRNA - Small Interfering RNAs

Small interfering RNAs, or siRNAs, are short regulatory RNA molecules that can silence genes post-transcriptionally, as well as the transcriptional level in some cases. siRNAs are important for protecting cells against viral infections and silencing transposable genetic elements.
In the cytoplasm, siRNA is processed from a double-stranded RNA, which comes from either endogenous DNA transcription or exogenous sources like a virus. This double-stranded RNA is then cleaved by the...
19.1K