Synaptogenesis, Gliopathy and Impaired Neurogenesis as Convergent Mechanisms in Brain Disease: From Molecules to Circuits

The mammalian brain depends, in part, on the precise coordination of three closely linked processes: the formation and maturation of synapses, the support and regulatory functions of glial cells, and the generation of new neurons in specific niches throughout life. Disruptions in any of these processes have long been studied as discrete contributors to neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders. Yet a growing body of evidence shows that synaptogenesis, gliopathy, and impaired adult neurogenesis are deeply interdependent, often converging on shared molecular pathways and shaping the same circuits implicated in disease. Conditions ranging from neurodevelopmental disorders to neurodegenerative diseases, traumatic brain injury, stroke, and psychiatric illness display overlapping signatures of synaptic dysfunction, reactive or dystrophic glia, and reduced neurogenic capacity. Advances in single-cell transcriptomics, live imaging, organoid models, and circuit-level recording are now making it possible to dissect how these processes interact across molecules, cells, and networks, opening new avenues for mechanism-based diagnosis and therapy.

This Research Topic aims to advance understanding of how synaptogenesis, gliopathy, and impaired neurogenesis converge as shared mechanisms across brain diseases, from molecular drivers to circuit-level consequences. We seek studies that dissect the cellular and molecular pathways governing synapse formation and maturation, the contributions of microglia, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes to synaptic and neurogenic dysfunction, and the regulation of adult neurogenesis in health and disease. Contributions exploring how disruptions in these processes intersect in conditions such as neurodevelopmental disorders, neurodegenerative diseases, brain injury, stroke, and psychiatric disorders are particularly welcome. We also encourage work leveraging advanced methodologies, including single-cell and spatial transcriptomics, live imaging, organoid and iPSC-derived models, electrophysiology, and circuit mapping, to link molecular events to functional outcomes. By integrating molecular, cellular, and circuit perspectives, this collection seeks to identify convergent targets that may inform novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies across the spectrum of brain disease.

We invite contributions spanning molecular, cellular, circuit, and translational research that address the convergence of synaptogenesis, gliopathy, and impaired neurogenesis in brain disease. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:
• Molecular mechanisms of synapse formation, maturation, and remodeling in disease
• Roles of microglia, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes in synaptic and neurogenic dysfunction
• Adult neurogenesis in health, aging, and neurological or psychiatric disease
• Cross-talk between glia, synapses, and neural stem cell niches
• Convergent mechanisms across neurodevelopmental, neurodegenerative, and psychiatric disorders
• Synaptic and neurogenic alterations in stroke, traumatic brain injury, and neuroinflammation
• Single-cell and spatial omics approaches to dissect cell-type-specific contributions
• Organoid, iPSC-derived, and animal models of convergent brain pathology
• Circuit-level consequences of synaptic, glial, and neurogenic dysfunction
• Therapeutic strategies targeting shared molecular pathways across brain diseases

We encourage a wide range of submissions, including original research, methods papers, brief research reports, data reports, systematic reviews, mini reviews and perspectives.

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

Keywords: Synaptogenesis, Gliopathy, Adult neurogenesis, Circuit dysfunction, Convergent mechanisms in brain disease

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.