The Role of Fatty Acid Binding Protein 7 in Neurological Diseases

Fatty acid binding protein 7 (FABP7) is a pivotal cytoplasmic protein involved in the transport and metabolism of fatty acids, with critical functions in the nervous system. This review highlights recent advances in understanding the role and mechanisms of FABP7 in neurological diseases. It begins with an overview of FABP7's distribution and expression in the nervous system, emphasizing its involvement in essential biological processes such as lipid metabolism, energy regulation, synaptic transmission, cell growth, and neuroinflammation. This review also explores FABP7's associations with major neurological disorders, including Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), schizophrenia, and depression, shedding light on its dual roles in neuroprotection and neurodegeneration. These findings position FABP7 as a promising target for novel therapeutic strategies. By unraveling its precise mechanisms and contributions to both neural health and disease, future research on FABP7 has the potential to revolutionize treatments for neurological disorders, offering innovative directions for therapeutic development.