About this Research Topic
The complexity of neuronal connections is formed during development under the guidance of both genetic and environmental factors. The interplay between a genetic blueprint and neuronal activity results in the formation of synaptic connectivity patterns that are unique for each individual. Genetic or environmental variations within this process may push developing neuronal networks towards pathological attractor states which can lead to the progression of a neurodevelopmental disorder (NDD) or other pathological states. This hypothesis may explain the emergence of very similar phenotypic manifestations as a result of diverse genetic mutations in NDDs, such as autism spectrum disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, intellectual disability, etc. Although there are large numbers of reports describing brain development in diverse genetic animal models of NDDs, possible reasons of symptom convergence despite many different genetic mutations are not sufficiently addressed in the literature.
Within this Topic, we invite you to discuss the key steps in the formation of the neuronal networks, which are prone to pathophysiological alterations, in different structures of the mammalian and non-mammalian brain. We will cover all developmental processes including, but not limited to: neural induction and patterning, migration, axon guidance, target selection, and synaptogenesis, activity-dependent developmental plasticity, pruning, and apoptosis. The aim of this article collection is to put together studies of key developmental events in both healthy and diseased brains relevant for the manifestation of well-defined phenotypic manifestations or clusters of symptoms in a range of NDDs, even if the etiology of initial disturbances is variable.
We encourage submitting both original Research as well as Review articles, relevant to the topic of the development of neuronal networks in relation to NDDs. Here are some examples of the research topics to be included:
· Studies of key developmental processes in the healthy brain including critical windows of brain development.
· Studies of genetic animal models of a NDD, replicating a genetic variant, shown to be linked to human pathology.
· Studies of the development of complex local neuronal connection within a brain area, or long-range connections between several brain areas.
· Studies of brain areas related to a defined cluster of symptoms (e.g. cognitive deficits; motor deficits; anxiety and mood deficits) are especially welcome.
Within this Topic, we invite you to discuss the key steps in the formation of the neuronal networks, which are prone to pathophysiological alterations, in different structures of the mammalian and non-mammalian brain. We will cover all developmental processes including, but not limited to: neural induction and patterning, migration, axon guidance, target selection, and synaptogenesis, activity-dependent developmental plasticity, pruning, and apoptosis. The aim of this article collection is to put together studies of key developmental events in both healthy and diseased brains relevant for the manifestation of well-defined phenotypic manifestations or clusters of symptoms in a range of NDDs, even if the etiology of initial disturbances is variable.
We encourage submitting both original Research as well as Review articles, relevant to the topic of the development of neuronal networks in relation to NDDs. Here are some examples of the research topics to be included:
· Studies of key developmental processes in the healthy brain including critical windows of brain development.
· Studies of genetic animal models of a NDD, replicating a genetic variant, shown to be linked to human pathology.
· Studies of the development of complex local neuronal connection within a brain area, or long-range connections between several brain areas.
· Studies of brain areas related to a defined cluster of symptoms (e.g. cognitive deficits; motor deficits; anxiety and mood deficits) are especially welcome.
Keywords: axon guidance; synaptogenesis; pruning; activity-dependent development; neurodevelopmental disorders
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
