MicroRNAs in Parkinson's disease: From pathogenesis to diagnostics and therapeutic strategies

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a prevalent neurodegenerative disorder characterized by pathological changes, including the loss of dopaminergic neurons and abnormal aggregation of α-synuclein (α-syn). Certain cellular and molecular events are involved; however, the origin and significance of these events remain uncertain. The discovery of microRNAs (miRNAs) predicted to play a pivotal role in various regulatory processes has emerged. Studies on the dysregulation of miRNAs in PD pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment have recently gained attention. This review aims to encapsulate recent research developments concerning the function of miRNAs in the pathophysiology of PD and their prospective applications as diagnostic and therapeutic biomarkers, targets, and pharmaceuticals. The most effective drug delivery approach for the treatment of PD, transnasal-cerebral drug delivery, has also been briefly described. The advantage of this delivery strategy is its capacity to bypass the blood-brain barrier, enabling direct administration of medication to the brain, which improves therapeutic efficacy and minimizes side effects.