Glycosphingolipids in neurodegeneration - Molecular mechanisms, cellular roles, and therapeutic perspectives

Neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's (AD), Parkinson's (PD), Huntington's (HD), and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), are characterized by progressive neuronal loss and pose significant global health challenges. Glycosphingolipids (GSLs), critical components of neuronal membranes, regulate signal transduction, membrane organization, neuroinflammation, and lipid raft functionality. This review explores GSL roles in neural development, differentiation, and neurogenesis, along with their dysregulation in neurodegenerative diseases. Aberrations in GSL metabolism drive key pathological features such as protein aggregation, neuroinflammation, and impaired signaling. Specific GSLs, such as GM1, GD3, and GM3, influence amyloid-beta aggregation in AD, alpha-synuclein stability in PD, and mutant huntingtin toxicity in HD. Therapeutic strategies targeting GSL metabolism, such as GM1 supplementation and enzyme modulation, have demonstrated potential to mitigate disease progression. Further studies using advanced lipidomics and glycomics may support biomarker identification and therapeutic advancements. This work aims to highlight the translational potential of GSL research for diagnosing and managing devastating neurodegenerative conditions.