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Molecular Insights into Neurotrophins and Neuropsychiatric 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: 31 October 2024 | Viewed by 2152

Special Issue Editors


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Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
Interests: addiction biology; toxicology; clinical biochemistry; genetics and molecular biology; neurobiology of alcohol use disorders
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In the intricate landscape of neuroscience, the interplay between molecular mechanisms and neuropsychiatric disorders has long intrigued researchers. Among the key players in this arena are neurotrophins, a family of proteins crucial for the development, function, and survival of neurons in the nervous system. Over recent decades, mounting evidence has underscored the pivotal role of neurotrophins in various aspects of brain function, including synaptic plasticity, neuronal survival, and neurogenesis.

Understanding the molecular underpinnings of neurotrophins has not only shed light on fundamental processes in neurobiology but has also unveiled promising avenues for deciphering the complexities of neuropsychiatric disorders. From depression and anxiety to schizophrenia and neurodegenerative diseases, the dysregulation of neurotrophin signaling pathways has been implicated in the pathogenesis and progression of myriad mental health conditions.

This synthesis of molecular insights into neurotrophins and neuropsychiatric disorders represents a frontier in neuroscience research, offering both theoretical frameworks and practical implications for the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of these debilitating conditions. By unraveling the intricate dance between neurotrophins and the brain’s circuitry, researchers are poised to unlock novel therapeutic targets and interventions that have the potential to alleviate the burden of neuropsychiatric disorders on individuals and society as a whole.

This Special Issue focuses on the current understanding of and future research directions regarding Molecular Insights into Neurotrophins and Neuropsychiatric Disorders. We warmly welcome original research and review articles relating to this crucial topic.

Dr. Marco Fiore
Dr. Giampiero Ferraguti
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • growth factors
  • neurotrophins
  • NGF
  • BDNF
  • neurodegeneration
  • brain diseases
  • NT-3
  • NT- 4
  • neurotrophin receptors

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Review

20 pages, 1372 KiB  
Review
Advances in the Treatment of Cognitive Impairment in Schizophrenia: Targeting NMDA Receptor Pathways
by Ting Zhang, Chang Liu, Ning Zhong, Yichen Wang, Yiyun Huang and Xiaoqin Zhang
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(19), 10668; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms251910668 - 3 Oct 2024
Viewed by 515
Abstract
Cognitive impairment is a core feature of schizophrenia, playing a pivotal role in the pathogenesis and prognosis of this disorder. Cognitive impairment in schizophrenia encompasses a wide range of domains, including processing speed, episodic memory, working memory, and executive function. These deficits persist [...] Read more.
Cognitive impairment is a core feature of schizophrenia, playing a pivotal role in the pathogenesis and prognosis of this disorder. Cognitive impairment in schizophrenia encompasses a wide range of domains, including processing speed, episodic memory, working memory, and executive function. These deficits persist throughout the course of the illness and significantly impact functional outcomes and quality of life. Therefore, it is imperative to identify the biological basis of cognitive deficits in schizophrenia and develop effective treatments. The role of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors in synaptic transmission and plasticity has long been recognized, making them potential targets for schizophrenia treatment. This review will focus on emerging pharmacology targeting NMDA receptors, offering strategies for the prevention and treatment of cognitive deficits in schizophrenia. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Insights into Neurotrophins and Neuropsychiatric Disorders)
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21 pages, 1511 KiB  
Review
Psychobiotic Properties of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum in Neurodegenerative Diseases
by Mariagiovanna Di Chiano, Fabio Sallustio, Daniela Fiocco, Maria Teresa Rocchetti, Giuseppe Spano, Paola Pontrelli, Antonio Moschetta, Loreto Gesualdo, Raffaella Maria Gadaleta and Anna Gallone
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(17), 9489; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25179489 - 31 Aug 2024
Viewed by 1334
Abstract
Neurodegenerative disorders are the main cause of cognitive and physical disabilities, affect millions of people worldwide, and their incidence is on the rise. Emerging evidence pinpoints a disturbance of the communication of the gut–brain axis, and in particular to gut microbial dysbiosis, as [...] Read more.
Neurodegenerative disorders are the main cause of cognitive and physical disabilities, affect millions of people worldwide, and their incidence is on the rise. Emerging evidence pinpoints a disturbance of the communication of the gut–brain axis, and in particular to gut microbial dysbiosis, as one of the contributors to the pathogenesis of these diseases. In fact, dysbiosis has been associated with neuro-inflammatory processes, hyperactivation of the neuronal immune system, impaired cognitive functions, aging, depression, sleeping disorders, and anxiety. With the rapid advance in metagenomics, metabolomics, and big data analysis, together with a multidisciplinary approach, a new horizon has just emerged in the fields of translational neurodegenerative disease. In fact, recent studies focusing on taxonomic profiling and leaky gut in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders are not only shedding light on an overlooked field but are also creating opportunities for biomarker discovery and development of new therapeutic and adjuvant strategies to treat these disorders. Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (LBP) strains are emerging as promising psychobiotics for the treatment of these diseases. In fact, LBP strains are able to promote eubiosis, increase the enrichment of bacteria producing beneficial metabolites such as short-chain fatty acids, boost the production of neurotransmitters, and support the homeostasis of the gut–brain axis. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on the role of the gut microbiota in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders with a particular focus on the benefits of LBP strains in Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, autism, anxiety, and depression. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Insights into Neurotrophins and Neuropsychiatric Disorders)
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