Research progress on therapeutic targets and drug development for neurodegenerative diseases via modulation of ferroptosis and neuroinflammation

Neurodegenerative diseases are one of the leading causes of death and disability worldwide, with complex pathogenesis and lacking effective therapeutic drugs. Increasing researches have shown that most neurodegenerative diseases involve abnormalities in iron homeostasis and activation of immune cells in the brain. Iron accumulation in microglia promotes ferroptosis, leading to cellular dysfunction and death. In contrast, inhibiting ferroptosis can alleviate neuroinflammation, protect neurons, and slow disease progression, highlighting the pivotal roles of ferroptosis and neuroinflammation in neurodegenerative diseases. This review summarizes the roles of ferroptosis and neuroinflammation in neurodegenerative diseases, further discusses the related targets regulating these processes, and reviews the therapeutic potential of drugs targeting ferroptosis and neuroinflammation in neurodegenerative diseases. This review aims to provide novel targets and therapeutic drugs for the treatment of neurodegenerative disease, offering new strategies for clinical management and improving the symptoms and prognosis of neurodegenerative disease.