Long non-coding RNAs in neurodegenerative diseases

Neurodegenerative diseases are gradually becoming the main burden of society. The morbidity and mortality caused by neurodegenerative diseases remain significant health-care concerns. For most neurodegenerative diseases, there are no effective treatments. Over the past few decades, in a quest to exploit efficacious disease-modifying therapies for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, disease mechanisms, reliable biomarkers and therapeutic targets have become a research priority. At present, lncRNA is an area with potential research value. In this article, we first summarize some of the existing results of research into lncRNAs, including origin, molecular characteristics, location types, and functional types. We then introduce the possible functions of lncRNAs in different neurodegenerative diseases. Furthermore, some lncRNAs which show promise as biomarkers or potential therapeutic targets are systematically summarized.