The Role of MicroRNA in the Pathogenesis and Diagnosis of Neurodegenerative Diseases

Today, Neurodegenerative Diseases (NDs) constitute one of the most significant issues in public healthcare. One of these NDs, Alzheimer's disease (AD), affects more than 24 million people worldwide. Scientists all over the world are searching for biomarkers that are vital for ND pathogenesis and diagnosis. It seems that one of these promising biomarkers might be microRNA (miRNA), whose biosynthesis is understood quite well. Currently known human miRNAs (~2600) are involved in numerous physiological and pathological processes. Recent studies have sought specific miRNAs that are significant for the pathogenesis and diagnosis of NDs. Most miRNAs are common for many NDs, however, few seem to be specific to individual diseases: AD (e.g. let-7f, miR-125b, -193b), Parkinson's disease (e.g. miR-19b, -34b/c, -133b), and frontotemporal dementia (e.g. miR-132, -212). It seems that finding specific miRNAs for individual NDs may contribute to early and certain diagnosis and to introducing effective therapy.