School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030000, China.
Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 308232, Singapore.
Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2024 Oct;165:105867. doi: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2024.105867. Epub 2024 Aug 27.
Neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) are a series of disorders characterized by the progressive loss of specific neurons, leading to cognitive and locomotor impairment. NDDs affect millions of patients worldwide but lack effective treatments. Dysregulation of lipids, particularly the accumulation of lipid droplets (LDs), is strongly implicated in the pathogenesis of NDDs. How LDs contribute to the occurrence and development of NDDs, and their potential as therapeutic targets remain to be addressed. In present review, we first introduce the processes of LDs formation, transportation and degradation. We then highlight how the accumulation of LDs contributes to the pathogenesis of NDDs in a cell type-specific manner. Moreover, we discuss currently available methods for detecting LDs and elaborate on LDs-based therapeutic strategies for NDDs. Lastly, we identify gaps that need to be filled to better leverage LD-based theranostics in NDDs and other diseases. We hope this review could shed light on the role of LDs in NDDs and facilitate the development of novel therapeutic strategies for NDDs.
神经退行性疾病（NDDs）是一组以特定神经元进行性丧失为特征的疾病，导致认知和运动功能障碍。NDDs 影响着全球数以百万计的患者，但缺乏有效的治疗方法。脂质失调，特别是脂滴（LDs）的积累，强烈提示与 NDDs 的发病机制有关。LDs 如何促进 NDDs 的发生和发展，以及它们作为治疗靶点的潜力仍有待解决。在本综述中，我们首先介绍了 LDs 的形成、运输和降解过程。然后，我们强调了 LDs 的积累如何以细胞类型特异性的方式促进 NDDs 的发病机制。此外，我们讨论了目前用于检测 LDs 的方法，并详细阐述了基于 LDs 的 NDDs 治疗策略。最后，我们确定了需要填补的空白，以更好地利用基于 LDs 的治疗在 NDDs 和其他疾病中的应用。我们希望本综述能够阐明 LDs 在 NDDs 中的作用，并促进 NDDs 新型治疗策略的发展。
