Molecular crosstalk between miRNAs and lncRNAs in neurodegenerative disease pathways

Neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), Huntington's disease (HD), and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), are characterized by progressive neuronal degeneration and dysfunction. Of recent interest, a series of studies have been targeting the role of non-coding RNAs, particularly miRNAs and lncRNAs, in regulating gene expression and influencing cellular pathways that may play a critical role in the pathogenesis of these diseases. miRNAs regulate many biological processes by degrading or repressing the translation of target mRNAs, whereas lncRNAs act as scaffolds, sponges, and guides to control gene expression and cellular activities. Both miRNAs and lncRNAs participate in neurodegenerative mechanisms such as protein aggregation, inflammation, oxidative stress, and neuroinflammation. While targeting miRNAs and lncRNAs holds promise for potential therapeutic benefits, problems persist with their efficient delivery, specificity, and off-target effects. New techniques like viral vectors, lipid nanoparticles, and CRISPR-based gene editing will further enhance the development of therapies based on miRNA and lncRNA. Moreover, their interaction with regulatory networks may present new avenues toward understanding disease mechanisms and guiding therapeutic design. This review covers the role of miRNAs and lncRNAs in neurodegenerative disorders, their therapeutic potential, challenges, and future directions in ncRNA-based treatment approaches.