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Molecular Investigations in Neurodevelopmental Disorders

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Neurobiology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 September 2024 | Viewed by 540

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
Interests: neuromotor; neurodevelopmental disorders

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) encompass a group of conditions characterized by impairments in brain function and development, affecting various aspects of cognition, behavior, and social interaction. Research is shedding light on the intricate genetic and biochemical mechanisms underlying these disorders. Dysregulation of gene expression, disruptions in synaptic connectivity, and abnormalities in neurotransmitter signaling pathways are among the key molecular mechanisms implicated in NDDs such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and intellectual disability (ID). Understanding the molecular basis of NDDs is crucial for understanding brain functioning and identifying reliable molecular biomarkers in order to develop effective diagnostic tools and personalized treatment strategies aimed at ameliorating symptoms and improving outcomes for individuals affected by these disorders.

We invite researchers to contribute to this Special Issue focusing on “Molecular Investigations in Neurodevelopmental Disorders”. This Special Issue aims to showcase cutting-edge studies elucidating the genetic, epigenetic, and molecular mechanisms underlying neurodevelopmental conditions.

We welcome original research articles, reviews, and perspectives that contribute to advancing our understanding of the molecular basis of NDDs. Topics of interest include but are not limited to, the identification of novel genetic variants associated with NDDs, the elucidation of gene expression patterns and regulatory networks, the characterization of the molecular pathways involved in neuronal development and synaptic function, the identification of biomarkers, and the development of therapeutic strategies.

Dr. Giorgio Medici
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • neurodevelopmental disorders
  • brain
  • neurons
  • synapses
  • molecular research
  • regulatory networks
  • molecular pathways
  • biomarkers
  • therapies

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

15 pages, 4185 KiB  
Article
Sex-Specific Behavioral and Molecular Responses to Maternal Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Immune Activation in a Murine Model: Implications for Neurodevelopmental Disorders
by Jing Xu, Rujuan Zhao, Mingyang Yan, Meng Zhou, Huanhuan Liu, Xueying Wang, Chang Lu, Qiang Li, Yan Mo, Paihao Zhang, Xingda Ju and Xianlu Zeng
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(18), 9885; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25189885 - 13 Sep 2024
Viewed by 241
Abstract
Maternal immune activation (MIA) during pregnancy has been increasingly recognized as a critical factor in the development of neurodevelopmental disorders, with potential sex-specific impacts that are not yet fully understood. In this study, we utilized a murine model to explore the behavioral and [...] Read more.
Maternal immune activation (MIA) during pregnancy has been increasingly recognized as a critical factor in the development of neurodevelopmental disorders, with potential sex-specific impacts that are not yet fully understood. In this study, we utilized a murine model to explore the behavioral and molecular consequences of MIA induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) administration on embryonic day 12.5. Our findings indicate that male offspring exposed to LPS exhibited significant increases in anxiety-like and depression-like behaviors, while female offspring did not show comparable changes. Molecular analyses revealed alterations in pro-inflammatory cytokine levels and synaptic gene expression in male offspring, suggesting that these molecular disruptions may underlie the observed behavioral differences. These results emphasize the importance of considering sex as a biological variable in studies of neurodevelopmental disorders and highlight the need for further molecular investigations to understand the mechanisms driving these sex-specific outcomes. Our study contributes to the growing evidence that prenatal immune challenges play a pivotal role in the etiology of neurodevelopmental disorders and underscores the potential for sex-specific preventative approaches of MIA. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Investigations in Neurodevelopmental Disorders)
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