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Brain Plasticity in Health and Disease

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: 20 December 2024 | Viewed by 1989

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
1. Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
2. Department of Biology, College of Science, Salahaddin University-Erbil, Erbil, Iraq
Interests: physiology; ion channels; electrophysiology; neurophysiology; cerebellum; schizophrenia; public health; molecular biology; cancer
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The brain structure and function are continuously remodeled by plasticity, a process that confers the brain the remarkable ability to adapt and rewire during neurodevelopment, in adulthood and following pathological damage. Plasticity manifests at different scales, from synapses to microcircuits and large-scale networks. It actively shapes learning and memory, contributes to brain development and ensures the maintenance of neural homeostasis. In this Special Issue, we delve into the plastic processes, shedding light on how it evolves in physiological and pathological conditions. The Special Issue integrates observations spanning the molecular, cellular and system levels, and covers the latest research in neurophysiology, neuroimaging and computational modeling. We cordially invite you to participate in this Special Issue by presenting your most recent research on this topic. We welcome experimental papers, up-to-date review articles and commentaries.

Dr. Pawan Faris
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • brain plasticity
  • brain structure and function
  • cerebral cortex, cerebellum
  • neurological disorders
  • neuropsychiatric disorders
  • neurophysiology
  • computational modeling
  • brain imaging
  • Neuroplasticity

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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25 pages, 5920 KiB  
Article
Morphological Signatures of Neurogenesis and Neuronal Migration in Hypothalamic Vasopressinergic Magnocellular Nuclei of the Adult Rat
by Limei Zhang, Mario A. Zetter, Vito S. Hernández, Oscar R. Hernández-Pérez, Fernando Jáuregui-Huerta, Quirin Krabichler and Valery Grinevich
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(13), 6988; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25136988 - 26 Jun 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1292
Abstract
The arginine vasopressin (AVP)-magnocellular neurosecretory system (AVPMNS) in the hypothalamus plays a critical role in homeostatic regulation as well as in allostatic motivational behaviors. However, it remains unclear whether adult neurogenesis exists in the AVPMNS. By using immunoreaction against AVP, neurophysin II, glial [...] Read more.
The arginine vasopressin (AVP)-magnocellular neurosecretory system (AVPMNS) in the hypothalamus plays a critical role in homeostatic regulation as well as in allostatic motivational behaviors. However, it remains unclear whether adult neurogenesis exists in the AVPMNS. By using immunoreaction against AVP, neurophysin II, glial fibrillar acidic protein (GFAP), cell division marker (Ki67), migrating neuroblast markers (doublecortin, DCX), microglial marker (Ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule 1, Iba1), and 5′-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine (BrdU), we report morphological evidence that low-rate neurogenesis and migration occur in adult AVPMNS in the rat hypothalamus. Tangential AVP/GFAP migration routes and AVP/DCX neuronal chains as well as ascending AVP axonal scaffolds were observed. Chronic water deprivation significantly increased the BrdU+ nuclei within both the supraaoptic (SON) and paraventricular (PVN) nuclei. These findings raise new questions about AVPMNS’s potential hormonal role for brain physiological adaptation across the lifespan, with possible involvement in coping with homeostatic adversities. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Brain Plasticity in Health and Disease)
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Review

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16 pages, 1028 KiB  
Review
Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) as a Predictor of Treatment Response in Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder: A Systematic Review
by Andrés Liberona, Natalia Jones, Karen Zúñiga, Verónica Garrido, Mario Ignacio Zelada, Hernán Silva and Rodrigo R. Nieto
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(20), 11204; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms252011204 - 18 Oct 2024
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Abstract
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a potential biomarker of response to treatment in psychiatric disorders. As it plays a role in the pathophysiological development of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, it is of interest to study its role in predicting therapeutic responses in both [...] Read more.
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a potential biomarker of response to treatment in psychiatric disorders. As it plays a role in the pathophysiological development of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, it is of interest to study its role in predicting therapeutic responses in both conditions. We carried out a systematic review of the literature, looking for differences in baseline BDNF levels and the Val66Met BDNF polymorphism in these disorders between responders and non-responders, and found information showing that the Val/Val genotype and higher baseline BDNF levels may be present in patients that respond successfully to pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments. However, there is still limited evidence to support the role of the Val66Met polymorphism and baseline BDNF levels as predictors of treatment response. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Brain Plasticity in Health and Disease)
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Planned Papers

The below list represents only planned manuscripts. Some of these manuscripts have not been received by the Editorial Office yet. Papers submitted to MDPI journals are subject to peer-review.

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