As a key component of the central nervous system, the spinal cord is crucial for sensory information processing and motor performance. Following spinal cord injury (SCI), the neural circuits are disrupted and reconstructed but the restoration of spinal cord function is usually limited. The poor capacity of spinal cord recovery may derive from the failure to recapitulate developmental processes since very limited endogenous neurogenesis and axon regeneration have been observed following injury. Multiple approaches to boost one or more developmental processes, including the replacement of lost neurons, axon regeneration, or synaptogenesis, have been widely applied to promote regeneration.
Further exploring cellular and molecular mechanisms of neural development and plasticity in the spinal cord is critical for the development of new therapeutic strategies for SCI patients. Therefore, this Research Topic is devoted to the cellular and molecular mechanisms of circuit formation in the developing spinal cord, circuit restoration following SCI, and to potential strategies for the promotion of neural plasticity following spinal cord injury.
We encourage authors to submit articles that satisfy this theme in any format accepted by the journal (Original Research, Methods, Reviews/Mini-Reviews, etc.). We intend to cover, but will not limit submissions to, the following topics:
- The development of methods or techniques for direct visualization of cellular processes, genome-wide molecular analysis, and novel or modified approaches for stem cell transplantation or neuronal reprogramming.
- Cellular or molecular mechanisms of neural circuit formation in the developing spinal cords (e.g. neurogenesis, gliogenesis).
- Cellular or molecular responses in spinal cord injury, including intrinsic regulation of neural plasticity and the microenvironment during regeneration, e.g. gliogenesis and inflammation.
- Contributions of neuron-glia interactions during spinal cord injury and repair
- Comparisons among different systems or species, including but not limited to the similarities and differences between the developmental and regenerative processes, between spinal cord injury, brain injury and peripheral nerve injury, and between mammals and other vertebrates (e.g. zebrafish, tadpoles).
- Interventional strategies (e.g. gene therapy and biomaterials) promoting spinal cord regeneration.
As a key component of the central nervous system, the spinal cord is crucial for sensory information processing and motor performance. Following spinal cord injury (SCI), the neural circuits are disrupted and reconstructed but the restoration of spinal cord function is usually limited. The poor capacity of spinal cord recovery may derive from the failure to recapitulate developmental processes since very limited endogenous neurogenesis and axon regeneration have been observed following injury. Multiple approaches to boost one or more developmental processes, including the replacement of lost neurons, axon regeneration, or synaptogenesis, have been widely applied to promote regeneration.
Further exploring cellular and molecular mechanisms of neural development and plasticity in the spinal cord is critical for the development of new therapeutic strategies for SCI patients. Therefore, this Research Topic is devoted to the cellular and molecular mechanisms of circuit formation in the developing spinal cord, circuit restoration following SCI, and to potential strategies for the promotion of neural plasticity following spinal cord injury.
We encourage authors to submit articles that satisfy this theme in any format accepted by the journal (Original Research, Methods, Reviews/Mini-Reviews, etc.). We intend to cover, but will not limit submissions to, the following topics:
- The development of methods or techniques for direct visualization of cellular processes, genome-wide molecular analysis, and novel or modified approaches for stem cell transplantation or neuronal reprogramming.
- Cellular or molecular mechanisms of neural circuit formation in the developing spinal cords (e.g. neurogenesis, gliogenesis).
- Cellular or molecular responses in spinal cord injury, including intrinsic regulation of neural plasticity and the microenvironment during regeneration, e.g. gliogenesis and inflammation.
- Contributions of neuron-glia interactions during spinal cord injury and repair
- Comparisons among different systems or species, including but not limited to the similarities and differences between the developmental and regenerative processes, between spinal cord injury, brain injury and peripheral nerve injury, and between mammals and other vertebrates (e.g. zebrafish, tadpoles).
- Interventional strategies (e.g. gene therapy and biomaterials) promoting spinal cord regeneration.