Extracellular Vesicles in Neurodegenerative Diseases: An Update

Neurodegenerative diseases affect millions of people worldwide. The likelihood of developing a neurodegenerative disease rises dramatically as life expectancy increases. Although it has drawn significant attention, there is still a lack of proper effective treatments for neurodegenerative disease because the mechanisms of its development and progression are largely unknown. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are small bi-lipid layer-enclosed nanosized particles in tissues and biological fluids. EVs are emerging as novel intercellular messengers and regulate a series of biological responses. Increasing evidence suggests that EVs are involved in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders. In this review, we summarize the recent findings of EVs in neurodegenerative diseases and bring up the limitations in the field.

Automated summary

Neurodegenerative diseases affect millions of people worldwide, and their prevalence has increased with longer life expectancy. Despite significant attention, effective treatments for these diseases are lacking due to limited knowledge of their development and progression mechanisms. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are small particles enclosed in lipid layers found in tissues and biological fluids, and they are increasingly recognized as important mediators in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders. This review summarizes recent findings on the role of EVs in neurodegenerative diseases and highlights the current limitations in this field.