Circular RNAs in Brain Physiology and Neurologic Diseases

In the past ten years, advancements in sequencing technology have allowed scientists to study the function and expression of noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs). One particular type of ncRNA, called circular RNAs (circRNAs), are closed loops that are found in large quantities and are evolutionarily conserved across different species. These circRNAs can be derived from both coding and noncoding transcripts and can regulate cellular proteins and sequester microRNAs. In the mammalian brain, circRNAs are more highly expressed compared to other tissues, suggesting their importance in brain function and pathology. However, there is still limited knowledge about circRNAs in brain cells. By gaining a better understanding of their role in neurological pathways, we can fill in the gaps and develop therapeutic approaches for future neurological diseases.