Development and Application of Natural Extracts in Neuroscience: Focus on Metabolic Aspects

Dear Colleagues,

Nutraceuticals are an emerging therapeutic option for metabolic diseases (i.e., metabolic syndrome, NAFLD/MAFLD, diabetes) characterized by multiorgan dysfunction. Growing evidence supports the presence of a complex network of inflammatory and metabolic biomarkers connecting these pathological conditions to alterations in brain metabolic activity and energetic status, which, in turn, can impact brain function and cognition. Consequently, an analysis of metabolic fluctuation might be predictive of potential central nervous system implications in several pathological conditions.

Despite these emergent discoveries, the detrimental impact of multi-organ dysfunction on the central nervous system (CNS) is not fully elucidated. In this scenario, the use of natural compounds as supplements to prevent/limit the consequences of the mentioned metabolic diseases appears a valid approach due to their pleiotropic effects.

The main purpose of this Special Issue is to acquire new knowledge on the molecular mechanisms underlying brain metabolism dysregulation. This is a fundamental step for developing targeted therapies and interventions to prevent or treat pathological conditions (i.e., metabolic syndrome, NAFLD/MAFLD, diabetes) associated with impaired brain metabolism. Moreover, the collection of novel discoveries, underlying the beneficial effects of natural compounds/nutraceuticals, in counteracting chronic disease-dependent metabolic disease, will represent an additional goal aimed at implementing the possibility of innovative therapeutic approaches.

Reviews and research articles: Both pre-clinical and clinical investigations testing novel hypotheses will be welcomed. As bio-imaging techniques (i.e., MRI, CT, or PET) represent valid tools, allowing the evaluation of a broad spectrum of biological processes and a better understanding of the onset and progression of metabolic disease, studies that use this technical approach are strongly encouraged. Thus, to detect a set of biomarkers which better characterize the mentioned diseases, data obtained through bio-imaging along with those achieved through biochemical and molecular biology approaches are solicited.

Potential topics include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Development and Application of Natural Extract in Neuroscience.
• Brain metabolism impairment: novel mechanisms.
• Metabolic syndrome and brain metabolism implications.
• NAFLD/MAFLD and brain metabolism implications.
• Diabetes and brain metabolism implications.
• Cross-talk between peripheral and central metabolism.
• Role of altered cholesterol/lipid metabolism in the enhancement of the risk of brain metabolism impairment.

Dr. Micaela Gliozzi
Guest Editor

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• neuroinflammation
• brain metabolism impairment
• natural compounds
• diabetes
• dysregulation of cholesterol and lipid metabolism