Pivotal research in neurodegenerative diseases reveals novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets. Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) levels outperform traditional measures in early Parkinson’s disease diagnostics. A two-step detection approach improves Lewy body pathology identification. New inhibitors such as enrupatinib demonstrate efficacy against Alzheimer’s neuroinflammation, and advances in understanding protein pathology challenge existing paradigms on alpha-synuclein’s role. These findings pave routes toward earlier diagnosis and innovative treatments.