Advances in understanding the pathogenetic mechanisms of neurodevelopmental disorders and neurodegenerative disease - The environment as a putative risk factor

Neurodevelopmental disorders are generally influenced by genetic as well as intrauterine and extrauterine factors that affect the fetal-maternal environment and/or brain development that continues after birth. Specific genetic polymorphisms may increase susceptibility to environmental factors that alter the trajectory of brain development via diverse molecular mechanisms. In particular, the pre- and post-natal exposure to neurotoxic metals, pesticides, persistent organic pollutants, and other chemicals is increasingly recognized as involved in the pathogenesis of neurodevelopmental disorders, such as autism, deficiency attention/hyperactivity disorders, neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease, chronic multiple sclerosis, and even fetal and infant death, including SIUDS (Sudden Unexplained Intrauterine Death Syndrome) and SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome).

While there is growing consensus that these complex neurodevelopmental disorders result from interaction between genetic and environmental factors, the exact mechanism(s) driving atypical neurodevelopment currently remains poorly understood. Thus, it is essential to study the ethio-pathogenetic and anatomo-pathological aspects of neurodevelopmental disorders and neurodegenerative disease with particular attention to the study of specific biomarkers useful for diagnostic and prognostic purposes.

The goal of this Research Topic is to collect contributions from expert authors in order to advance the state of knowledge regarding the pathogenetic mechanisms by which genetic and environmental factors interact to increase individual risk for neurological disease across the lifespan.
This collection will focus on the following sub-topics:
● Genetic background that can increase susceptibility to environment factors that alter nervous system development
● Molecular and neuropathological features of neurological disease across the lifespan
● Approaches for identifying specific genetic substrates and environmental factors that alter brain development to cause disease
● Mechanisms by which genetic and environmental factors interact to increase risk of neurological disease
● Neuropathology of unexplained perinatal deaths, considering also the interaction between environmental risk factors and brain developmental defects
● Proposal of evidence-based prevention and management strategies to decrease the incidence of these pathologies.
This Research Topic places a high value on research articles, brief research articles, review, mini-review and perspective articles that are original and significant for the above themes. Submissions of hypotheses, opinions and commentaries will be welcome. Manuscripts properly falling outside the specific aims of the Research Topic will be considered as well.