About this Research Topic
The appropriate function of the nervous system relies on precise patterns of connectivity among hundreds to billions of neurons across different biological systems. Evolutionary conserved patterns of neural circuit organization and connectivity between morphologically and functionally diverse sets of neurons emerge from a remarkably robust set of genetic blueprints, uniquely defining circuits responsible for planning and execution of behavioral repertoires. Although it is well established that individual neurons represent the elemental building blocks of the brain, the next frontier is understanding the functional architecture of neural circuits and how they give rise to the complex experiences and behaviors. To unravel the details of nervous system function, we must consider not only the morphological and physiological properties of individual neurons, but also the functional connections formed between cells and across brain regions.
Recent advances in molecular genetic, viral engineering, and imaging technologies are contributing to an ever-evolving understanding of how interconnected neuronal populations produce perception, memory, and behavior. Now, with such tools in hand, we can better address long-standing unanswered questions about structural and functional features of neural circuits.
This research topic revisits the original “Neural Circuits Revealed” and will highlight advances made since the first collection of articles. As such, it broadly covers studies using state-of-the-art genetic, electrophysiological, optical, and imaging approaches to map neural circuit architecture and explore functional connectivity across various biological systems. Contributions should be made by neuroscientists interested in understanding the structure and function of neural circuits in diverse model systems, and at any level from micro- to macrocircuits.
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
