To refresh efforts to answer the question ‘What kills neurons in neurodegenerative disease?’, Molecular Neurodegeneration have commenced publication of a new thematic series with this title.

In the last few decades experiments have been conducted, which have determined the triggers of most neurodegenerative disease. However the pathological processes, the precise pathways that lead to neuronal cell death in each disease, remain largely unknown. In many cases therapy targeting a trigger is limited in its effect because the disease process is significantly progressed before the effects are observed. Therefore a detailed understanding of the precise steps that lead to neuronal cell death may be invaluable for providing new therapies in patients who have a progressed form of a neurodegenerative disease.

The review series consists of 20 articles, which will be published over the coming months. The articles will cover a broad range of neurodegenerative diseases, with both disease specific reviews as well as more general reviews on possible pathways leading to neurodegeneration, with an emphasis on future work required in the area.

The first articles published focus on the therapeutic importance of understanding mechanisms of neuronal cell death in neurodegenerative disease and α-synuclein toxicity in Parkinson disease.

For a more detailed overview of the series please read the commentary by guest Editors Todd Golde and Leonard Petrucelli.

To keep up-to-date with all the latest articles published in Molecular Neurodegeneration please register to receive email article alerts.