Neuroinflammation-driven neurodegeneration: emerging biomarkers, mitochondrial therapeutics, and translational neuroprotective strategies

Neurodegenerative and neurodevelopmental neurological disorders represent a growing global health burden, characterized by progressive neuronal dysfunction, cognitive decline, and impaired functional outcomes. Increasing evidence highlights neuroinflammation as a central pathophysiological mechanism linking mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, microbiota dysbiosis, and synaptic impairment across diverse neurological conditions. This narrative review was conducted using a structured literature search approach, incorporating major biomedical databases to enhance transparency and reproducibility. This review synthesizes contemporary evidence on mechanistic pathways underlying neuroinflammation-mediated neurodegeneration and critically evaluates emerging neuroprotective therapeutic strategies. Particular emphasis is placed on mitochondrial transfer approaches, novel circulating and imaging biomarkers, and integrative neurotechnological innovations such as artificial intelligence-driven neuroimaging analytics. While several therapeutic approaches demonstrate promise in preclinical models, most remain at early experimental or translational stages, with limited validation in large-scale human studies. Current findings suggest that targeting neuroimmune signaling cascades, restoring mitochondrial bioenergetics, and modulating gut-brain axis interactions may provide synergistic neuroprotective benefits. The review proposes a multidimensional precision-medicine framework incorporating biomarker-guided therapeutic selection and interdisciplinary care models. Future research priorities include longitudinal biomarker validation, randomized clinical trials of mitochondrial-based therapies, and integration of digital neurodiagnostic platforms to enhance early disease detection. Despite these advances, significant gaps remain in clinical translation, standardization of biomarkers, and long-term therapeutic safety, necessitating cautious interpretation of emerging evidence.