Understanding the Links Between Development and Neurobiological Disorders

The development of the human brain is a highly complex process that begins in early embryogenesis and continues into adulthood. Proper neural development is essential for establishing functional neural circuits that support cognition behavior and emotional regulation. Disruptions in these processes can have long-lasting consequences and may increase vulnerability to a wide range of neurobiological disorders. Understanding how early developmental mechanisms contribute to disease susceptibility is critical for identifying potential biomarkers and designing therapeutic interventions.

Neurobiological disorders include psychiatric conditions such as autism spectrum disorders schizophrenia and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder as well as neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimers disease and Parkinsons disease Evidence suggests that many of these disorders have roots in developmental abnormalities even if they appear later in life. Genetic mutations environmental exposures and epigenetic changes can interfere with processes such as neurogenesis synapse formation and myelination leading to structural and functional alterations in neural circuits. Early disruptions can therefore set the stage for cognitive behavioral and motor deficits associated with both psychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders.

Studying the links between development and neurobiological disorders requires an interdisciplinary approach integrating molecular genetics neuroimaging electrophysiology and behavioral analysis. Recent advances in technologies such as brain organoids single cell sequencing and longitudinal imaging have provided unprecedented insights into how specific developmental pathways are altered in disease. These studies have also identified critical developmental windows during which the brain is particularly vulnerable to perturbations and highlighted shared mechanisms across different disorders.

Understanding developmental contributions to neurobiological disorders has important implications for prevention and therapy. Early detection of at risk individuals and interventions aimed at promoting healthy brain development may reduce the severity or delay the onset of later neurodegenerative or psychiatric conditions. Targeting developmental mechanisms offers the potential to modify disease trajectories and improve outcomes for patients with established disorders. Therefore, this topic will focus on the following but not limited to:

• Investigate how early brain development disruptions contribute to psychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders.

• Explore the impact of genetic mutations and epigenetic changes on neural circuit formation.

• Examine the role of environmental factors in altering neurogenesis and synaptic connectivity.

• Identify critical developmental windows of vulnerability in the brain.

• Study mechanisms linking developmental abnormalities to Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.

• Utilize advanced models such as brain organoids and single-cell sequencing to map disease trajectories.

• Develop early diagnostic markers and interventions to prevent or mitigate neurobiological disorders.

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

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

Keywords: Neurodevelopment, neurodegenerative disorders, neurogenesis, synaptic connectivity

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.