Molecular Logic of Neural Circuit Assembly in Health and Disease
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: 25 July 2024 | Viewed by 80
Special Issue Editor
Interests: cellular signal transduction; membrane proteins; synaptic transmission; exocytosis; local and long-range synaptic connectivity; neuromodulation
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
The understanding of (1) the developmental program of synaptogenesis and circuit formation as well as (2) their modification/refinement throughout the lifespan is crucial for our brain function and the neuroscience field in general; however, after decades of research the overall understanding is still very poor, and it remains mysterious. This Special Issue aims to delve into the intricate molecular mechanisms underpinning the establishment of synapse and neural circuits, in addition to their subsequent influence on circuit-specific function. A myriad of synaptogenic factors promote synaptic formation, while anti-synaptogenic factors modulate this process, ensuring balanced circuit formation. Beyond these factors, transcriptional regulators of synaptogenesis exert significant control, orchestrating the expression of genes vital for synaptic development and maturation. Perturbations in these molecular mechanisms can lead to abnormalities in brain function, manifesting as deficits in cognitive, sensory, and motor processes. Therefore, understanding these molecular pathways offers invaluable insights into neural circuitry formation, shedding light on potential therapeutic strategies for addressing circuit-specific behavioral anomalies.
This open access Special Issue will bring together original research and review articles on the molecular mechanisms of neural circuit formation. It highlights new discoveries, approaches, and technical developments in molecular components of synapse and circuit formation.
Topics of this Special Issue include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Identification of molecules to govern/modulate synaptic transmission or circuit formation.
- Molecular mechanisms of activity-dependent synaptic plasticity in excitatory and inhibitory synapses.
- Developmental dysregulation/imbalance of synaptic transmission leading to neurological disorders.
- Techniques to monitor molecular activities related to synaptic transmission or circuit formation.
Dr. Mean-Hwan Kim
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
- synaptogenesis
- development
- synaptic cell adhesion molecules
- filopodia
- spine
- synaptogenic factors
- anti-synaptogenic factors
- transcriptional regulators of synaptogenesis
- synaptic plasticity
- circuit-specific abnormalities in brain function
