Noncoding RNAs in Alzheimer's Disease: Overview of Functional and Therapeutic Significance

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a multifactorial disorder resulting from the complex interaction between genetic, epigenetic, and environmental factors. It represents an impending epidemic and lacks effective pharmacological interventions. The emergence of high throughput sequencing techniques and comprehensive genome evaluation has uncovered a diverse spectrum of noncoding RNA (ncRNA) families. ncRNAs are the critical modulators of an eclectic array of biological processes and are now transpiring as imperative players in diagnosing and treating various diseases, including neurodegenerative disorders. Several ncRNAs are explicitly augmented in the brain, wherein they potentially regulate cognitive abilities and other functions of the central nervous system. Growing evidence suggests the substantial role of ncRNAs as modulators of tau phosphorylation, Aβ production, neuroinflammation, and neuronal survival. It indicates their therapeutic relevance as a biomarker and druggable targets against AD. The current review summarizes the existing literature on the functional significance of ncRNAs in AD pathogenesis and its imminent implications in clinics.