Regulation of Apoptotic Pathways by MicroRNAs: A Therapeutic Strategy for Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a prevalent neurodegenerative disorder marked by a gradual decline in memory and cognitive functions. It is characterized by the presence of senile plaques, neurofibrillary tangles, and neuronal degeneration, affecting a significant portion of the human population. A key feature of various nervous system disorders, including AD, is extensive cellular death caused by apoptosis, which affects not only neurons but also glial cells. While apoptosis plays a vital role in eliminating certain cells and supporting normal development, alterations or disruptions in apoptotic pathways can lead to harmful neurodegenerative conditions such as AD. Thus, targeting apoptosis presents a promising therapeutic approach for these diseases. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), a class of non-coding RNA, play diverse roles in cellular functions, including proliferation, gene expression regulation, programmed cell death, intercellular communication, and angiogenesis. By modulating regulatory genes, miRNAs can influence apoptosis, either promoting or inhibiting it. Aberrant expression of miRNAs can impact multiple apoptotic pathways, potentially driving the progression of AD and related health issues. This review summarizes recent research on miRNAs and their dual role in exacerbating or protecting against neural cell damage in AD by altering apoptotic pathways. The regulation of apoptosis by miRNAs offers a prospective therapeutic strategy for Alzheimer's disease.