Advances in Understanding the Pathogenetic Mechanisms of Neurodevelopmental Disorders and Neurodegenerative Disease - The Environment as a Putative Risk Factor, Volume II

Neurodevelopmental disorders and neurodegenerative diseases are conditions that arise from complex interactions between genetic and environmental factors, shaping brain development and function across the lifespan. The first volume of this Research Topic explored how genetic polymorphisms modulate the individual's susceptibility to environmental factors, such as neurotoxic metals and pesticides, that alter the trajectory of brain development. Evidence increasingly supports that conditions such as autism, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), Parkinson's disease (PD) and Alzheimer's disease (AD) cannot be fully explained by genetic factors; instead, they emerge from a multifaceted interaction between a person's genetic background and their exposure to various environmental agents.

This second volume builds upon the foundational work of the first, aiming to expand our understanding on environmental risk factors as modulators of neurological diseases. In recent years, there has been increasing recognition of the widespread presence of novel environmental pollutants, such as microplastics and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), and their potential to act as neurotoxic agents. These ubiquitous contaminants are now found in air, water, and food sources, and their impact on human health, particularly neurological development, is a critical area of ongoing research. This volume aims to collect new contributions that elucidate how such environmental factors may interact with an individual’s genetic makeup to influence the risk, onset, and progression of neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative diseases across the lifespan.

The goal of this Research Topic remains to advance our understanding of the exact mechanisms driving atypical neurodevelopment and neurodegeneration. This collection will delve into the ethio-pathogenetic and anatomo-pathological aspects of these conditions, with a particular emphasis on identifying specific biomarkers useful for both diagnostic and prognostic purposes. We welcome expert authors to contribute any articulae type supported by the journal, including original research, reviews, and perspectives that address:
● The genetic basis that increases susceptibility to environmental factors, including metals, endocrine-disrupting chemicals, pesticides, air pollutants, and microplastics.
● The molecular, cellular, and neuropathological features of neurological diseases across the lifespan.
● Novel approaches for identifying genetic substrates and environmental triggers of disease.
● The specific mechanisms by which genetic and environmental factors interact to increase the risk of neurological disease.
● The neuropathology of unexplained perinatal deaths, considering the interplay between environmental risk factors and developmental brain defects.
● Innovative biomarker discovery and multi-omics approaches for early detection and prognostic prediction.
● Evidence-based prevention and management strategies to decrease the incidence of these pathologies.
● Translational research bridging basic mechanisms with clinical and public health applications.

By bringing together diverse research, this volume seeks to provide a comprehensive and updated perspective on the environment as a powerful and complex putative risk factor for neurological disease. The insights gained from this collection will be crucial for developing more effective strategies for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. We look forward to your valuable contributions.

Topic Editor Prof. Marco Colizzi is a Consultant/Advisor for GW Pharma Limited, GW Pharma Italy SRL, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Limited, and Idorsia Pharmaceuticals Italy SRL. The other Topic Editors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

Article types and fees

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

• Brief Research Report
• Clinical Trial
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

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

• Brief Research Report
• Clinical Trial
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Study Protocol
• Systematic Review

Keywords: Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Environmental Factors, Pathogenetic, Pre-Natal Exposure, Post-Natal Exposure

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.