Structural Plasticity of Invertebrate Neural Systems

The flexible plasticity of developing nervous systems has been well-documented in a variety of animals. Adult nervous systems maintain the ability to make structural rearrangements under certain conditions. Generally, invertebrate nervous systems are thought to be less flexible than vertebrate nervous systems, but some surprising examples of extensive adult structural plasticity have been described in invertebrates. Structural changes in response to injury, due to circadian rhythms or to different life demands have been described in these simple nervous systems, suggesting that the capacity for flexibility and plasticity might be a key and thus conserved trait of evolutionarily distant organisms.

We welcome submissions on any aspect of structural plasticity in invertebrate adult nervous systems, including anatomical changes at the synaptic, cellular or circuit level, all the way up to linking structural neuronal plasticity with changes in behavior. Submissions that review a particular area of research, contribute original data or propose unifying theories are encouraged. Among the topics we hope to highlight are changes in adult nervous systems in response to injury, to circadian rhythms, behavioral influences like social interactions or individual experience, and different life-history strategies. We encourage submissions from a wide-range of invertebrates, hoping to highlight the existing capacities for structural plasticity across a range of species. Contributions that review evidence or combine studies across different invertebrate species are strongly encouraged.