This Research Topic follows the Winter School on Bioenergetics of the Central Nervous System, a dedicated event that brought together young researchers to explore how energy metabolism underpins brain function and dysfunction.
The central nervous system is one of the most energy-demanding tissues in the body, relying on a continuous and tightly regulated supply of ATP to support synaptic transmission, ion homeostasis, axonal transport, and neuronal survival. Mitochondria sit at the heart of this bioenergetic balance, and their dysfunction is increasingly recognized as a common thread linking neurodevelopmental disorders, neurodegenerative diseases, and acute brain injury. Despite substantial progress, key questions remain about how neurons and glia coordinate metabolic demands, how bioenergetic failure propagates across cell types and neural circuits, and how these mechanisms can be therapeutically targeted.
This Research Topic aims to bring together original research, reviews, and perspectives that advance understanding of the bioenergetic mechanisms sustaining CNS function in health and disease. We welcome contributions addressing, but not limited to:
- Neuronal and glial mitochondrial dynamics, biogenesis, and quality control
- Metabolic coupling between neurons, astrocytes, and other glial cells
- Bioenergetic dysfunction in neurodegenerative diseases (e.g., Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, ALS)
- Mitochondrial mechanisms in neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders
- Energy metabolism in acute brain injury, ischemia, and hypoxia
- Novel imaging, biosensor, or omics approaches to studying brain bioenergetics
- Therapeutic strategies targeting mitochondrial and metabolic pathways in the CNS
By consolidating current knowledge and emerging findings in this area, this Research Topic seeks to foster interdisciplinary dialogue between neuroscientists, cell biologists, and clinicians working at the interface of bioenergetics and brain function.
Article types and fees
This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:
Brief Research Report
Case Report
Data Report
Editorial
FAIR² Data
General Commentary
Hypothesis and Theory
Methods
Mini Review
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
Case Report
Data Report
Editorial
FAIR² Data
General Commentary
Hypothesis and Theory
Methods
Mini Review
Opinion
Original Research
Perspective
Policy Brief
Review
Systematic Review
Technology and Code
Keywords: mitochondria, bioenergetics, central nervous system, neuronal metabolism, neurodegeneration, ATP production, mitochondrial dysfunction, brain energy metabolism, neuroglia metabolic coupling
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.
