Synapse plasticity is a critical process in the brain. It is defined as the ability of neurons to alter their strength of communication at synapses, and it underpins not only learning and memory but also sensory and motor functions. Large numbers of neurons and synapses also exist outside of the brain however, via innervation pathways of the peripheral nervous system. These neural pathways also express plasticity, which has the ability to significantly alter organ function. Moreover, neural peripheral pathways are now receiving considerable attention as targets for treating peripheral conditions. Synapse plasticity will play a significant role in the mechanisms of these conditions and their treatments.
Plasticity in the peripheral nervous system has received comparatively little attention compared to plasticity in the brain, yet the potential for harnessing peripheral plasticity mechanisms to target disorders of end organ function is significant. The goal of this Frontiers Research Topic is to focus on and highlight plasticity mechanisms in the peripheral nervous system, including innervation to the gut, heart, skeletal muscle, as well as at intermediary ganglia.
This Research Topic has a broad scope due to the breadth of peripheral nervous system innervation pathways. Specific themes include (but are not limited to):
(i) Structural and/or functional plasticity mechanisms in the periphery
(ii) Modelling of neural activity in peripheral pathways
(iii) End organ effects of changes in peripheral innervation
(iv) Developmental and pathological changes in peripheral pathways
This Research Topic will receive both original manuscripts and review articles addressing an aspect of peripheral nervous system plasticity described above.
Synapse plasticity is a critical process in the brain. It is defined as the ability of neurons to alter their strength of communication at synapses, and it underpins not only learning and memory but also sensory and motor functions. Large numbers of neurons and synapses also exist outside of the brain however, via innervation pathways of the peripheral nervous system. These neural pathways also express plasticity, which has the ability to significantly alter organ function. Moreover, neural peripheral pathways are now receiving considerable attention as targets for treating peripheral conditions. Synapse plasticity will play a significant role in the mechanisms of these conditions and their treatments.
Plasticity in the peripheral nervous system has received comparatively little attention compared to plasticity in the brain, yet the potential for harnessing peripheral plasticity mechanisms to target disorders of end organ function is significant. The goal of this Frontiers Research Topic is to focus on and highlight plasticity mechanisms in the peripheral nervous system, including innervation to the gut, heart, skeletal muscle, as well as at intermediary ganglia.
This Research Topic has a broad scope due to the breadth of peripheral nervous system innervation pathways. Specific themes include (but are not limited to):
(i) Structural and/or functional plasticity mechanisms in the periphery
(ii) Modelling of neural activity in peripheral pathways
(iii) End organ effects of changes in peripheral innervation
(iv) Developmental and pathological changes in peripheral pathways
This Research Topic will receive both original manuscripts and review articles addressing an aspect of peripheral nervous system plasticity described above.