Molecular Neuroscience: Current and Future Challenges

In the early days, one of the biggest challenges in molecular neuroscience was identifying the molecular mechanisms underlying neuronal activity. The discovery of neurotransmitters like acetylcholine, dopamine, GABA, glycine, and serotonin in the mid-20th century was a breakthrough. However, the processes governing how neurons communicate with each other, and how neuronal networks influence behaviour, movement, learning, and memory were still poorly understood. Early electrophysiology research, such as the pioneering work of Hodgkin and Huxley on action potentials in the 1950s, helped to explain the electrical properties of neurons but left open questions about the molecules and molecular pathways controlling these signals. Furthermore, the technical limitations of the time, including the lack of precise imaging tools, macromolecular detection reagents such as antibodies or RNA probes and gene manipulation techniques, made it difficult to observe neural activity at the molecular level and beyond.

Today, molecular neuroscience has advanced significantly, thanks in large part to new technologies like CRISPR gene editing, molecular and pharmacological probes, spatiotemporal gene expression control, optogenetics, induced pluripotent stem cell technology, advanced microscopy and single-cell RNA sequencing. These tools have enabled scientists to investigate the molecular machinery of neurons in unprecedented detail. However, these advances have also exposed new challenges. One of the most pressing issues is managing the sheer complexity of data generated by modern neuroscience techniques. The human brain contains roughly 86 billion neurons, each with unique molecular signatures. Understanding how these molecular differences contribute to distinct neuronal functions and network behaviours remains a daunting task. In addition, glial cells, which can outnumber neurons 10:1 play a key role in regulating major metabolic and immunomodulatory functions in the brain. Another major challenge is translating molecular genetics findings into treatments for neurological and psychiatric disorders. While researchers have identified numerous genetic and molecular risk factors for diseases like Alzheimer's disease, Epilepsy, Neurodevelopmental disorders, Parkinson's disease, and depression, turning these insights into effective therapies has proven difficult. Many promising treatments that work in animal models fail in human trials, pointing to gaps in our understanding of how molecular pathways operate across species.

Looking to the future, one of the key challenges will be personalizing treatments for neurological and psychiatric diseases. While molecular neuroscience has revealed that many disorders have a genetic or molecular basis, each patient's brain is unique, with subtle differences in molecular profiles that may affect how they respond to pharmacotherapy. Precision medicine, which tailors treatments based on individual genetic and molecular data, holds great promise, but achieving this in the brain, with its vast complexity, remains a significant hurdle. An alternative to precision medicine is a broader approach based on the identification of commonalities between neurological disorders. For example, acquired epilepsy and acquired Alzheimer’s disease share common disease-causing mechanisms and comorbid symptoms. Another future challenge will be integrating molecular data across different levels of brain function. Neuroscience spans many levels, from genes and their epigenetic regulation to proteins to entire neural circuits and behaviour. Understanding how molecular changes at the synapse scale up to affect cognition, emotion, and behaviour will be crucial for developing more effective interventions. Advances in computational modelling and machine learning may offer solutions for bridging these different levels of analysis.

This research topic aims at bringing together excellent original research articles and reviews contributing to the advancement of Molecular Neuroscience. In particular, articles focusing on neurological disorders and mechanisms of disease at the molecular, cellular or whole-animal levels are welcome. We also encourage articles on gene regulation, proteostasis as well as intra- and inter-cellular signalling mechanisms in health and disease states.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• ... View all formats

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Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Study Protocol
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: Molecular Mechanisms, Neurogenetics, Brain Disorders, Precision Medicine

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.