The key role of the ferroptosis mechanism in neurological diseases and prospects for targeted therapy

Neurological disorders represent a major global health concern owing to their intricate pathological processes. Ferroptosis, defined as a form of cell death that is reliant on iron, has been closely linked to various neurological conditions. The fundamental process underlying ferroptosis is defined...

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Main Authors: Chenyu Xie, Nan Wu, Jiaojiao Guo, Liangliang Ma, Congcong Zhang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-05-01
Series:Frontiers in Neuroscience
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnins.2025.1591417/full
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author Chenyu Xie
Chenyu Xie
Nan Wu
Jiaojiao Guo
Liangliang Ma
Congcong Zhang
author_facet Chenyu Xie
Chenyu Xie
Nan Wu
Jiaojiao Guo
Liangliang Ma
Congcong Zhang
author_sort Chenyu Xie
collection DOAJ
description Neurological disorders represent a major global health concern owing to their intricate pathological processes. Ferroptosis, defined as a form of cell death that is reliant on iron, has been closely linked to various neurological conditions. The fundamental process underlying ferroptosis is defined by the excessive buildup of iron ions, which initiates lipid peroxidation processes leading to cellular demise. Neurons, as highly metabolically active cells, are susceptible to oxidative stress, and imbalances in iron metabolism can directly initiate the ferroptosis process. In neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease, ferroptosis driven by iron accumulation represents a fundamental pathological connection. Although the connection between ferroptosis and neurological diseases is clear, clinical application still faces challenges, such as precise regulation of iron metabolism, development of specific drugs, and assessment of efficacy. The limited comprehension of the ferroptosis mechanism hinders the development of personalized treatment approaches. Consequently, subsequent investigations must tackle these obstacles to facilitate the clinical application of ferroptosis-associated therapies in neurological disorders. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the most recent advancements regarding the underlying mechanisms of ferroptosis. Subsequently, the study investigates the mechanistic contributions of ferroptosis within the nervous system. In conclusion, we evaluate and deliberate on targeted therapeutic strategies associated with ferroptosis and neurological disorders.
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series Frontiers in Neuroscience
spelling doaj-art-8e2111044f3a478fbc76df10bdc0ff102025-08-20T03:09:41ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Neuroscience1662-453X2025-05-011910.3389/fnins.2025.15914171591417The key role of the ferroptosis mechanism in neurological diseases and prospects for targeted therapyChenyu Xie0Chenyu Xie1Nan Wu2Jiaojiao Guo3Liangliang Ma4Congcong Zhang5Department of Rehabilitation, The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, ChinaRehabilitation Medicine College, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, Henan, ChinaRehabilitation Medicine College, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, Henan, ChinaRehabilitation Medicine College, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, Henan, ChinaDepartment of Rehabilitation, The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, ChinaRehabilitation Medicine College, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, Henan, ChinaNeurological disorders represent a major global health concern owing to their intricate pathological processes. Ferroptosis, defined as a form of cell death that is reliant on iron, has been closely linked to various neurological conditions. The fundamental process underlying ferroptosis is defined by the excessive buildup of iron ions, which initiates lipid peroxidation processes leading to cellular demise. Neurons, as highly metabolically active cells, are susceptible to oxidative stress, and imbalances in iron metabolism can directly initiate the ferroptosis process. In neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease, ferroptosis driven by iron accumulation represents a fundamental pathological connection. Although the connection between ferroptosis and neurological diseases is clear, clinical application still faces challenges, such as precise regulation of iron metabolism, development of specific drugs, and assessment of efficacy. The limited comprehension of the ferroptosis mechanism hinders the development of personalized treatment approaches. Consequently, subsequent investigations must tackle these obstacles to facilitate the clinical application of ferroptosis-associated therapies in neurological disorders. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the most recent advancements regarding the underlying mechanisms of ferroptosis. Subsequently, the study investigates the mechanistic contributions of ferroptosis within the nervous system. In conclusion, we evaluate and deliberate on targeted therapeutic strategies associated with ferroptosis and neurological disorders.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnins.2025.1591417/fullferroptosisneurological diseasescell deathresearch progressmedication therapy
spellingShingle Chenyu Xie
Chenyu Xie
Nan Wu
Jiaojiao Guo
Liangliang Ma
Congcong Zhang
The key role of the ferroptosis mechanism in neurological diseases and prospects for targeted therapy
Frontiers in Neuroscience
ferroptosis
neurological diseases
cell death
research progress
medication therapy
title The key role of the ferroptosis mechanism in neurological diseases and prospects for targeted therapy
title_full The key role of the ferroptosis mechanism in neurological diseases and prospects for targeted therapy
title_fullStr The key role of the ferroptosis mechanism in neurological diseases and prospects for targeted therapy
title_full_unstemmed The key role of the ferroptosis mechanism in neurological diseases and prospects for targeted therapy
title_short The key role of the ferroptosis mechanism in neurological diseases and prospects for targeted therapy
title_sort key role of the ferroptosis mechanism in neurological diseases and prospects for targeted therapy
topic ferroptosis
neurological diseases
cell death
research progress
medication therapy
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnins.2025.1591417/full
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