Signaling Pathways and Therapeutic Targets in Stroke

Stroke is one of the leading causes of death and severe disability worldwide. A stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is interrupted by a blocked or burst blood vessel. To date, there is no known treatment or cure for the brain damage and neurological symptoms associated with stroke. In this research topic, we focus on the studies involved in signaling transduction pathways and therapeutic targets related to these pathways in stroke. Signaling pathways are one of the most important processes for intracellular, extracellular, and cell-to-cell communication in response to environmental changes. Cells initially receive information through extracellular signaling molecules in chemical form such as hormones, growth factors, or neurotransmitters, that they then process, transmit and amplify through the signaling cascades to control cellular functions such as cell division, proliferation and differentiation, cell death and survival, and cellular immune response. In the brain, signaling pathways regulate numerous cellular processes and synaptic functions in neural development, neurogenesis, and tissue homeostasis.

Abnormal activation or inactivation of signaling pathways can lead to neurological diseases and disorders. In recent years, complex and various signaling pathways have been implicated in the pathophysiology of ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke; therefore, it is critical to fully understand these signaling pathways and develop new drugs and therapeutic strategies targeting specific molecules involved in these pathways. For this research topic, we invite research as well as review articles on the role of signaling pathways involved in synaptic function and plasticity, neuronal death and survival, and behavior in the pathophysiology of stroke as well as on how these pathways could be targeted as therapeutic strategies for this disease.

Potential sub-topics include, but are not limited to, the following aspects or themes associated with the signaling pathways underlying the pathophysiology of stroke and therapeutic strategies targeting these pathways:
- Excitotoxicity, oxidative stress, or mitochondrial dysfunction related signaling pathways
- Neuroinflammation related signaling pathways
- Immune-related signaling of the microbiota-gut-brain axis in stroke
- Signaling pathways related to blood-brain barrier damage/disruption
- Autophagy related pathways including AMPK or mTOR signaling
- Signaling pathways that affect or are affected by epigenetic factors/mechanisms.
- Cell death signaling involved in apoptosis, necrosis, necroptosis, pyroptosis, or ferroptosis.
- Signaling cascade regulated by neurotransmitters and receptors