Neurodegeneration is a hallmark of many chronic, incurable disorders, such as Parkinson's disease, that are quickly increasing in incidence. To address these terrible illnesses, new and more effective therapeutic options are urgently needed. Models have shown to be a significant tool in helping researchers shed insight on the processes behind neurodegenerative illnesses, and these developments have already begun to give intriguing treatment possibilities. A special collection of articles focused on neurodegenerative illnesses is offered in this themed issue of Disease Models & Mechanisms. The collection comprises original research papers that disclose possible biomarkers or treatment targets while also providing fresh insights into the intricate biology of such diseases. Some of the papers provide a novel disease model that allows for more in-depth investigation of important pathways. In addition, we give a series of reviews highlighting some of the most recent translational advancements in neurodegenerative disease research. We summaries the papers in this collection in this Editorial, underlining the influence that model-based investigations have had in this interesting field of study.
