Central nervous system signaling pathways

Central nervous system signaling pathways refer to the diverse and complex molecular systems through which neurons, glial cells, and immune cells communicate and regulate CNS function. These pathways include those involved in neurotransmission, immune modulation, inflammatory response, cell survival and death, and are critical for maintaining CNS homeostasis and responding to injury or disease. Targeted modulation of specific CNS signaling pathways is a promising strategy for the treatment of a wide range of neurological disorders, including neurodegenerative diseases, cancer, stroke, and cognitive dysfunction. However, due to their complexity and interconnectedness, precisely targeting these pathways without affecting essential CNS functions or causing adverse effects remains a major therapeutic challenge.

Mechanisms depend on which specific pathway or molecular target is affected, e.g., inhibition of kinases, modulation of immune or neurotransmitter signaling, blockade of neuroinflammatory mediators, etc.