Dear Colleagues,

The amazing progress in the field of stem cell biology over the past several decades has transformed both science and biomedicine. Neural stem cells (NSCs) are the stem cells of the nervous system. Through the development process they produce the entire nervous system. In adults, a small number of NSCs persist, and they are mostly inactive; however, ample evidence supports their important roles in plasticity, aging, disease, and nervous system regeneration. Because NSCs are regulated both by intrinsic genetic and epigenetic programs and by extrinsic stimuli transduced through the stem cell niche, NSC dysregulation due to genetic causes or environmental impacts can lead to disease. Therefore, extensive research has been keen in recent decades with the aim of understanding how NSCs are controlled. On the other hand, since their discovery, NSCs have been a focal point for cell-based therapeutic strategies in the brain and spinal cord. NSCs are the optimal cells for central nervous system restoration as they can differentiate into mature cells and, most importantly, functional neurons and glial cells. However, their application is limited by multiple factors, such as difficult access to source material; limited number of cells; problematic, long and expensive cultivation in vitro; and ethical considerations. Although recent advances in embryonic and induced pluripotent stem cells have provided novel sources for NSCs, several challenges remain. In this Special Issue, we are looking for NSC leaders and experts to recapitulate our current understanding of NSC molecular regulation and the importance of NSCs for disease modelling and translational applications.

Dr. María Ángeles Marqués-Torrejón
Guest Editor

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• neural stem cells
• neural development
• brain plasticity
• brain tumors