Synaptic Plasticity and Signaling Pathways in Neurodevelopmental Disorders (NDDs)
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: closed (30 December 2023) | Viewed by 2040
Special Issue Editor
Interests: autism; antioxidant protein; oxidtive stress; tuberous sclerosis; cell mechanism of signaling
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) are multifaceted conditions characterized by impairments in cognition, communication, behavior and/or motor skills resulting from abnormal brain development. Intellectual disability, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) fall under the umbrella of NDD.
Any significant deviation from the normal CNS functions due to social deprivation, environmental factors, genetic and metabolic diseases, and immune disorders results in abnormal neuronal connectivity.
This Special Issue therefore shines light on recent research progress in developmental disorders. Some recent findings which inform the scope of the present Issue are as follows:
1) Neuroligin 3 (NLGN3) and neurexins (NRXNs) include a canonical transsynaptic cell-adhesion pair in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Impairment of NLGN3-NRXN interaction shows increased sociability, with imbalance in excitatory/inhibitory synaptic protein expression.
2) Brain-resident innate immune cells (i.e., microglia) have the capacity to sculpt neural circuitry and coordinate copious and diverse neurodevelopmental processes. Components of the innate immune system, including Toll-like receptors, cytokines, inflammasomes and phagocytic signals, are critical contributors to brain development. Dysfunction in innate immune signaling pathways has been functionally linked to many neurodevelopmental disorders.
3) Synaptic alterations of low concentrations of organochlorine pesticides, metabotropic glutamate-receptor-dependent long-term depression (mGluR-LTD) and chronic modulation of MAPK/ERK signaling have been associated with prototypical behavioral phenotypes of MDD.
4) The available clinical and animal studies evidence links to several common signaling pathways in developmental disorders, including prostaglandin-E2 (PGE2) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), endocannabinoid (eCB), redox signaling, iron signaling, and copper signaling. Particularly, PGE2 is a membrane-derived lipid signaling molecule and plays an important role in neuronal development associated with canonical Wnt signaling. New synthetic inhibitors of lipolytic enzyme phospholipase A2 (PLA2) may be used for the treatment of neuroinflammation-associated neurodevelopmental disorders in cells. These signaling cascades are involved in various neurodevelopment activities.
Topics of interest include the following:
- Molecular mechanisms related to the development of neurodevelopment within the central nervous system and medical cues;
- Neurodevelopment and proteinopathies;
- New potential biomarkers of developmental disorders during early childhood.
Prof. Dr. Kunio Yui
Guest Editor
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