Synaptic Nanoarchitecture, Synaptic Plasticity, and Circuit Neuroanatomy

Synapses are the fundamental junctions through which neurons communicate, and their anatomical organization is essential for understanding the structure of neural circuits across species. Recent advances in electron microscopy, immunolabeling, molecular mapping, and quantitative anatomical analysis now allow increasingly precise investigation of synaptic organization across multiple spatial scales, from the nanoscale arrangement of receptors, ion channels, and scaffolding proteins to the cellular and circuit-level distribution of distinct synapse types. These approaches are providing new insight into how synaptic architecture and plasticity contribute to the organization, diversity, and specialization of the nervous systems.

This Research Topic seeks contributions that advance our understanding of the anatomical organization of synapses in the nervous system, with particular emphasis on molecular nanoarchitecture, ultrastructural specialization, and the spatial arrangement of synaptic connectivity within defined circuits. We welcome original research, reviews, and methodological studies that use classical and modern neuroanatomical techniques to examine presynaptic and postsynaptic compartments, inhibitory and excitatory synapses, their plasticity, and region- or cell type-specific patterns of synaptic organization. Studies combining high-quality imaging with quantitative analysis, molecular profiling, or theoretical interpretation are especially encouraged.

Topics of interest include the ultrastructural mapping of synaptic proteins, receptors, and ion channels; the anatomical basis of presynaptic release machinery and short-term synaptic modulation; the organization of GABAergic and glutamatergic synapses; developmental regulation and stabilization of inhibitory synapses; and the synaptic architecture of defined circuits, including limbic, habenular, and amygdalar networks. We also welcome comparative studies across brain regions, species, and disease conditions that reveal general principles or distinctive features of synaptic neuroanatomy. Methodological contributions integrating electron microscopy, immunocytochemistry, tract tracing, transcriptomics, and physiology to resolve synaptic connectivity across scales are particularly encouraged.

This collection aims to highlight work that reveals important aspects of synaptic and circuit organization through rigorous anatomical investigation. Descriptive and quantitative studies are welcome, provided they offer clear neuroanatomical insight and are supported by high quality imaging and illustration. Studies with a primarily clinical focus, a surgical emphasis, or a main focus on gross anatomy are outside the scope of this Research Topic.

Suggested subtopics:
• Molecular nanoarchitecture of synapses
• Ultrastructural mapping of receptors, ion channels, and synaptic proteins
• Presynaptic active zone organization and vesicle release machinery
• Anatomical substrates of short-term and long-term synaptic plasticity
• GABAB receptor-dependent synaptic modulation
• Metabotropic glutamate receptors in synaptic organization
• Inhibitory microcircuits in the amygdala
• Synaptic organization of habenular and limbic circuits
• Developmental regulation and stabilization of inhibitory synapses
• Comparative and pathological synaptic neuroanatomy
• Advanced anatomical methods for studying synaptic connectivity
• Multiscale integration of electron microscopy, immunolabeling, physiology, and transcriptomics in synapse research

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

Keywords: synapse and synaptic plasticity

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.