Microalgae, Brain Health and Aging

Dear Colleagues,

The biodiversity of microalgae is enormous and represents an almost untapped resource. Many novel biomolecules originating from algal biomass have been chemically determined. Examples include carotenoids, antioxidants, fatty acids, enzymes, polymers, peptides, and sterols. These biologically active substances from microalgae are capable of exhibiting antioxidant, antibacterial, antiviral, antitumor, regenerative, antihypertensive, neuroprotective, and immunostimulating effects. Therefore, they play a key role in the biomedical and pharmaceutical industry. Seaweed microbiota have been shown to have indirect health-promoting effects in the brain by positively affecting the production of the neurotransmitters GABA and serotonin. Further, several research studies using animal models have shown that bioactive seaweed derivatives can cross the blood–brain barrier and impose potential health-promoting effects on multiple neuronal functions, for example by reducing inflammation. Thus, extracts and bioactive molecules derived from microalgae have potential for use in therapies to treat brain diseases including dementia and Alzheimer’s.

This Special Issue aims to collect new and exciting high-quality papers, including research articles and comprehensive reviews, related to brain health, healthy brain aging, and the application of therapies that utilize microalgae-derived biomolecules and extracts. Studies with human subjects or animal models are acceptable.

Dr. D. Craig Willcox
Dr. Richard C. Allsopp
Dr. Bradley Willcox
Prof. Dr. Giovanni Scapagnini
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Marine Drugs is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• microalgae
• brain diseases
• neuroprotection
• neuroinflammation
• Alzheimer’s disease
• healthy brain aging
• longevity