Neuropeptides and Neurological Diseases
A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Neurobiology".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 April 2024 | Viewed by 1181
Special Issue Editor
Interests: neuroimmunology; immune system; neuropeptides; inflammation; autoimmunity; fibrosis; mesenchymal stem cells
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
It is a great pleasure to announce a call for papers on the topic of “Neuropeptides and Neurological Diseases”. Although different definitions have historically been used for the term neuropeptide, the most accepted is “as a small proteinaceous substance produced and released by neurons through the regulated secretory route and acting on neural substrates”. A growing body of evidence indicates that neuropeptides can also be produced by the brain and play multiple roles in an organism, a property that is closely linked to the existence of several mechanisms of action and types of receptors for neuropeptides, which are expressed in a different cell types and tissues. More than 80 genes encoding for neuropeptides have been identified and grouped into around 20 subfamilies of peptides according to their precursor and peptide structure, or their function.
Neuropeptides appear to play a central and coordinated role in the adaptive responses of the organism as critical signaling molecules in the maintenance of health, especially in the nervous system. Therefore, we invite investigators to submit original research articles and review articles that contribute to a better understanding of the role of neuropeptides in the most prevalent neurological diseases, including neurodegenerative (Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, dementia, etc.), mental (depression, schizophrenia, anxiety, etc.) and developmental (autism) disorders. Because the central nervous system is complex and neurological disorders are not only caused by defective neuronal functions or neurodegeneration, but also by other surrounding cells and structures—including glial cells—vasculature and immune cells, among others, play critical roles in maintaining nervous homeostasis and contributing to pathological mechanisms. Our scope of interest in this topic also includes neurovascular disorders such as brain stroke, epilepsy and headache, immune-mediated diseases (i.e., multiple sclerosis, COVID-associated brain disorders, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, spinal cord injury, brain trauma, etc.) and neuroendocrine disorders. Manuscripts must cover at least one of the following areas: the pharmacological aspects of neuropeptide receptors (modeling, binding, signaling); the endogenous roles of neuropeptides in the central and peripheral nervous systems; new therapeutic strategies based on the use of neuropeptides and their analogues (bioavailability and specificity); the identification of neuropeptides and their receptors as potential disease biomarkers; or the ontogenetic evolution of neuropeptide–receptor systems and the functions of neuropeptide–receptor systems in non-mammals.
Prof. Dr. Mario Delgado
Guest Editor
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. International Journal of Molecular Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.
Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. There is an Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal. For details about the APC please see here. 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.
Keywords
- somatostatin receptors
- ghrelin receptors
- cortistatin
- neuroendocrine and immune systems
- neurodegeneration
- cardiovascular
- tumors
- intracellular signaling
