Dear Colleagues,

It is known that neuropeptides may control neuronal activity. Specifically, the insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) can be a potent stimulator of neuronal activity, participating in numerous brain processes (see for review Fernandez et al., 2018). Indeed, IGF-I increases the spontaneous firing rate as well as the response to afferent stimulation in target neurons (Barros-Zulaica et al., 2019; Carro et al., 2000; Gazit et al., 2016; Nuñez et al., 2003). Furthermore, IGF-I enhances fast activity in the EEG of rodents and non-human primates (Trueba-Saiz et al., 2013). The functional implications of these changes must be explored because modulation of the neuronal excitability by IGF-I may be involved in the regulation of synaptic plasticity such as long-term potentiation (LTP) or long-term depression (LTD), which are critical mechanisms for learning and memory processes. The possible beneficial effects of IGF-I in the modulation of brain activity may be altered in pathological situations in which circulating IGF-signaling is decreased, such as diabetes or Alzheimer's disease. In addition, reduced serum IGF-I levels have been described during healthy aging in all mammalian species studied that could be responsible for the decline of cognitive functions. Consequently, the modulation of synaptic plasticity by IGF-I is a very interesting issue to be address in normal and pathological conditions.

Prof. Dr. Ángel Núñez
Prof. Dr. Ignacio Torres Alemán
Guest Editor

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• IGF-I signaling
• synaptic plasticity
• learning and memory
• neuromodulation
• neuropeptides