Spatio-temporal Molecular Mechanisms Regulating Synapse Function and Neural Circuit Dynamics

Tomohisa Hosokawa ¹ Yoshiyuki Kubota ² Tetsuya Takano ^3*

• ¹ Kyoto University, Kyoto, Kyōto, Japan
• ² National Institute for Physiological Sciences (NIPS), Okazaki, Aichi, Japan
• ³ Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan

processes information, adapts to experiences, and responds to injuries , such as through mechanisms like synaptic plasticity in learning, neural regeneration after trauma, and adaptive circuit remodeling in response to environmental changes. These mechanisms are also central to understanding the pathophysiology of psychiatric and neurological disorders. While significant advances have been made such as the development of high-resolution imaging techniques and the identification of key molecular regulators, the precise regulation of synaptic properties and neural circuits across temporal and spatial dimensions remains insufficiently understood. Addressing these challenges is crucial for uncovering the molecular mechanisms underlying brain plasticity and advancing novel therapeutic approaches for neurological and psychiatric disorders. Collectively, the articles presented in this research topic collection offer a detailed theoretical framework for understanding the spatio-temporal regulation of synaptic function, including how molecular signaling pathways interact with genetic and developmental processes. These insights reveal critical mechanisms underlying brain plasticity, synaptic connectivity, and the dynamics of neural circuits, providing a foundation for future therapeutic strategies targeting neurological and psychiatric disorders. By integrating a wide range of methodologies-including proteomics, transcriptomics, phosphorylation signaling analysis, and optogenetics-these reviews elucidate the complex molecular mechanisms underlying brain plasticity, synaptic connectivity, and neural circuit dynamics. From examining synaptic proteins and neuromodulator signaling to exploring genetic and morphogenetic factors contributing to neurodegeneration and mental health disorders, these contributions underscore the necessity of a multidisciplinary approach. Such an integrated perspective is crucial for identifying the molecular determinants of brain function, advancing our understanding of neuropsychiatric disorders, and developing innovative therapeutic interventions targeting structural and functional anomalies in the brain.