Abstract
BACKGROUND: Neurological disorders known as neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) result in the slow loss of neurons in the central nervous system (CNS) or peripheral nervous system (PNS), as well as the collapse of neural networks in terms of structure and function. NDDs are expected to surpass cancer as the second biggest cause of mortality by 2040, according to World Health Organization (WHO) estimations. Neurons cannot effectively regenerate themselves because they are terminally differentiated. Accordingly, it is challenging to find medications that could stop or slow neurodegeneration. MAIN BODY: The tsRNAs are a type of small non-coding RNAs derived from mature tRNAs or tRNA precursors. tsRNAs control gene expression and have a role in many physiological and pathological processes, including neurological illnesses. Antisense oligonucleotides are effective therapeutic agents for neurological diseases, and they may be the treatment of choice for neurodegenerative diseases in the future. Here, we review the biogenesis of tsRNA, its physiological and pathological functions in the central nervous system and neurological disorders, and its prospective use as a nucleic acid medication to treat NDDs, providing theoretical support and guidance for further exploration of tsRNAs in therapeutic intervention. CONCLUSION: tsRNAs are emerging as important regulatory molecules in neurodegenerative diseases. Understanding the functions of tsRNAs in neurodegenerative diseases may provide new insights into disease mechanisms and lead to the development of novel treatment strategies.