About this Research Topic
Neural circuits are remarkably well-organized systems which transmit and process incoming information. At the same time, neural circuits are highly flexible systems which demonstrate drastic refinement and remodeling depending on animal development, environmental cues, distress, or lesion. Accumulating evidence suggests the precise refinement and remodeling are crucial for appropriate higher brain functions, and disturbance of these processes could account for psychiatric disorders. Refinement and remodeling can be induced by many factors and at multiple scales. In this topic, we will focus on the interconnection within the circuit, i.e., synapses. Synapses are not only hubs which transmit the signals between neurons, but they also adhere two neurons physically in a tight proximity. Moreover, synapses are the main computational units for network information processing. Therefore, to gain a total view of neural circuit refinement/remodeling and function, we must understand how synapses are assembled and disassembled, how efficient transmission is organized, maintained, stabilized against interference, and adjusted to adapt network processing.
However, the mechanisms underlying connection and disconnection of synapses, physically and functionally, remain largely unknown. To understand these processes, molecular and functional understanding of synapses both from the presynaptic and postsynaptic side, including their interactions and structures, are required. Recent advances in genetic and imaging techniques enable us to address the molecular, functional, and morphological prospect of synapse refinement/remodeling. We want to elucidate the changes underlying the refinement/remodeling at the multiple levels such as presynaptic transmitter release mechanisms, postsynaptic receptor properties, synapse adhesion molecules, and synapse/axon growth guidance molecules.
The purpose of this research topic is to compile both review papers and primary research papers elucidating the molecular and functional mechanisms of neural circuit formation, refinement and/or remodeling in different approaches such as biochemical, physiological, morphological analyses, and at different model animals/circuits. Sub-topics of interest include:
• Developmental change of synaptic functions and structures.
• Hebbian/Homeostatic plasticity of synaptic functions for environmental adaptation.
• Adaptation and remodeling of neural circuits to overcome distress and lesion.
• Abnormal refinement and remodeling of synapse in brain disorders.
• Molecular mechanisms underlying adjustment of synaptic transmission.
• Synapse organizers mediating functional/structural assemble and disassemble of synapse.
• Signaling cascade to trigger adaptation, refinement, and remodeling of synapse.
• Structural change of axon/dendrite accompanied with adjustment of neural circuit.
However, the mechanisms underlying connection and disconnection of synapses, physically and functionally, remain largely unknown. To understand these processes, molecular and functional understanding of synapses both from the presynaptic and postsynaptic side, including their interactions and structures, are required. Recent advances in genetic and imaging techniques enable us to address the molecular, functional, and morphological prospect of synapse refinement/remodeling. We want to elucidate the changes underlying the refinement/remodeling at the multiple levels such as presynaptic transmitter release mechanisms, postsynaptic receptor properties, synapse adhesion molecules, and synapse/axon growth guidance molecules.
The purpose of this research topic is to compile both review papers and primary research papers elucidating the molecular and functional mechanisms of neural circuit formation, refinement and/or remodeling in different approaches such as biochemical, physiological, morphological analyses, and at different model animals/circuits. Sub-topics of interest include:
• Developmental change of synaptic functions and structures.
• Hebbian/Homeostatic plasticity of synaptic functions for environmental adaptation.
• Adaptation and remodeling of neural circuits to overcome distress and lesion.
• Abnormal refinement and remodeling of synapse in brain disorders.
• Molecular mechanisms underlying adjustment of synaptic transmission.
• Synapse organizers mediating functional/structural assemble and disassemble of synapse.
• Signaling cascade to trigger adaptation, refinement, and remodeling of synapse.
• Structural change of axon/dendrite accompanied with adjustment of neural circuit.
Keywords: Neural Circuit, Synapse, Presynapse, Postsynapse, Plasticity, Homeostasis, Remodeling, Refinement
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