Progressive neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) that lack effective disease-modifying treatments, including Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and Huntington's disease (HD), represent significant global health challenges. In recent years, key research findings have included the role of neuroinflammation driven by microglia and astrocytes, the impact of genetic mutations, and the importance of autophagy and mitochondrial quality control in maintaining neuronal health. In this review, we summarize recent advancements of the pathogenesis of NDs, the cellular and animal models that have provided valuable insights into disease mechanisms, and the development of blood-based biomarkers for early diagnosis and monitoring of disease progression. We also highlight emerging neurorestorative therapeutic strategies involving stem cell therapy, antisense oligonucleotides, and induced pluripotent stem cells. Additionally, we cover recent clinical trials of promising drugs, such as lecanemab and donanemab for AD, and tavapadon for PD. Finally, we propose future research directions, emphasizing the need for combination therapies that target multiple pathways, the development of more precise animal models, and the integration of nanotechnology for improved drug delivery across the blood–brain barrier.

Facial paralysis comorbidities is now understood to include two distinct forms: synkinesis and micro-entrapment syndrome of nerves innervating the face (MESNIF). These disorders manifest as oromandibular synkinesis, stiffness and atrophy of facial muscles on one side, which affect activities of daily living. Acupoint Injection is a treatment for facial paralysis, combining the meridian theory of traditional Chinese medicine, with the injection of specific drugs into acupuncture points of the face. In recent years, the use of acupoint injections has shown in remarkable clinical efficacy and few adverse effects. We report the case to introduce this integrative therapy and outline the key principles of rehabilitation therapy.

Protein polymers derived from mesenchymal stem cells, especially human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells, showed promising potentials in treating ischemic stroke, thanks to the advantages of selective assembly, targeted delivery, efficient repair of damaged tissues, high safety, highly stable chemical properties, and being easy for storage. Herein, we introduced a clinical trial based on protein polymers derived from human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells. The main purpose of this clinical study is to preliminarily verify the safety and efficacy of intrathecal administration and application of protein polymers in clinical treatment of ischemic stroke cases. The summary of the program, the research plan, test protein polymer intrathecal injection method, experimental protein polymer management, patient evaluation index, data management and statistical analysis, technical features, trial schedule etc. are detailed described in the article. This clinical study provides information for other clinical trials based on protein polymers and medicines used to treat apoplexy.

Restoration of walking ability in stroke patients is the basis for their return to their families and society. Motor-cognitive dual-task training (MCDTT) can effectively strengthen the functional network connection between motor and cognitive brain regions and promote brain functional network remodeling, which is more relevant to daily life than single-task training in improving walking dysfunction of stroke patients and can more effectively train patients' adaptive walking ability. This paper summarizes the application and research progress of MCDTT in post-stroke walking rehabilitation, and aims to provide a theoretical basis for further research on systematic motor-cognitive therapy techniques to promote walking rehabilitation in stroke patients.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is catastrophic damage for patients, their family, and society. Researchers and clinicians have been trying to find neurorestorative methods to recover their injured functions and structures. Cell therapy is one of the effective therapeutic strategies for SCI. And it can partially restore their neurological functions, which are once thought as permanent neurological deficits. Currently, cells being used therapeutically in clinic include olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs), mononuclear cells (MNCs), mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs), Schwann cells, and hematopoietic stem cells, cell products differentiated from embryonic stem cells, mesenchymal stem cells, induced pluripotent stem cells, and neural stem cells as well as other kinds of cells. Real world data from these cell therapies showed some benefits in some patients with SCI. Due to being affected by many factors, the therapeutic results of some kinds of cells are contradictory and it is hard to compare effects among different types of cells. According to the data of cell therapies, OEC, MNC and MSC transplantation are applied for patients in majority percentage of cases, and OEC transplantation had a higher percentage of benefits. In next step, under the unified standard of cell preparation and quality control as well as the guidelines of clinical cell application, each kind of cells including OECs should be studied using prospective, multicenter, double-blind or observing-blind, placebo-control, randomized studies for SCI patients with different level of injury and chronicity.

The term "micro-entrapment syndrome of nerves innervating the face (MESNIF)" is a relatively new concept. It refers to the micro-entrapment of facial nerve (trigeminal nerve and facial nerve) terminals for various reasons, resulting in one-side facial discomfort, subjective sensory abnormalities, or stiffness, and in certain cases, localized micro muscle movement abnormalities and motor disharmony. It is frequently caused by facial paralysis or chronic trigeminal neuritis or injury, and is prevalent in clinical practice. Peripheral facial paralysis affects 60%-70% of people. Both men and women are susceptible to it. It is most common in young and middle-aged women. At the moment, there are two types of therapy options for this disease: nonsurgical treatments and surgical treatments. Among surgical treatments, pulsed radiofrequency has good curative results. This paper describes two typical situations that had good curative effects.

Meige syndrome is a neurological disorder discovered by Henry Meige, a French neurologist. The initial clinical manifestations are blepharospasm in both eyes and the characteristic facial appearance of tiger face lines. The patient displays an abnormal facial expression. Trauma, psychological, endocrine, and pharmacological factors may play a role in secondary Meige syndrome. Here we describe these clinical signs with pictures.

Shortly after its outbreak, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has very rapidly spread to become a global epidemic. Early clinical findings mainly included typical symptoms such as fever and cough with a very high transmission rate. Recent findings have demonstrated neurological manifestations of atypical symptoms, which is associated with poor prognosis. In this paper, we describe the neurological aspects of COVID-19 pneumonia in terms of relevant neurons, virus-associated receptors, and olfactory and neurological clinical manifestations and offer insights on treatment.