Memory, thought, creativity and self-consciousness are all linked to the function of the Central Nervous System (CNS). One of the most exciting challenges of neurobiology is to understand how the brain works. The study of the physiology of brain cell assemblies is necessary to pursue this goal. Originally viewed as supportive elements for neuronal function, Neuroglia are the most abundant nerve cells in the CNS. Indeed, plasticity of neuronal assemblies was thought to be the only cognitive substrate. Nowadays, however, neuroglia is known to participate in the formation, operation and modulation of synaptic circuits. Thus, neurons are embedded within neuroglia resulting in glio-neuronal assemblies that potentiates the cognitive power of our brain.
Research on physiology and pathology of the brain requires the study of neuroglia, a heterogenous group of nerve cells that includes macroglia (astroglia, oligodendroglia and NG2 glia) and microglia. For instance, neuroglia express ionic channels, neurotransmitter receptors and transporters, necessary to communicate among them and with neurons through gliotransmission. Furthermore, neuroglia dysfunction has been linked to neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative diseases (NNDs). Thus, the goal of this Topic is to integrate recent studies on physiology and pathology of neuroglia.
This Topic welcomes the submission of original research, review, protocol, mini review, perspective and brief research reports that cover but are not limited to the following topics:
- Plasticity of glio-neuronal ensembles in cognition and behavior
- Dysfunction of glio-neuronal ensembles in NNDs
- Novel tools for glial signaling and function in NDDs
- Recent advances in vitro and humanized research models of neuroglia
- Neuron-glia communication
- Neuroglia and neuroinflammation
- Neuroglia signaling in myelination
- Demyelination and remyelination
- Neuroglia in sense perception and alterations by psychotropics
- Structural characterization and study of neuroglia heterogeneity across sex and brain regions
- Role of neuroglia in eating and metabolic disorders
Memory, thought, creativity and self-consciousness are all linked to the function of the Central Nervous System (CNS). One of the most exciting challenges of neurobiology is to understand how the brain works. The study of the physiology of brain cell assemblies is necessary to pursue this goal. Originally viewed as supportive elements for neuronal function, Neuroglia are the most abundant nerve cells in the CNS. Indeed, plasticity of neuronal assemblies was thought to be the only cognitive substrate. Nowadays, however, neuroglia is known to participate in the formation, operation and modulation of synaptic circuits. Thus, neurons are embedded within neuroglia resulting in glio-neuronal assemblies that potentiates the cognitive power of our brain.
Research on physiology and pathology of the brain requires the study of neuroglia, a heterogenous group of nerve cells that includes macroglia (astroglia, oligodendroglia and NG2 glia) and microglia. For instance, neuroglia express ionic channels, neurotransmitter receptors and transporters, necessary to communicate among them and with neurons through gliotransmission. Furthermore, neuroglia dysfunction has been linked to neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative diseases (NNDs). Thus, the goal of this Topic is to integrate recent studies on physiology and pathology of neuroglia.
This Topic welcomes the submission of original research, review, protocol, mini review, perspective and brief research reports that cover but are not limited to the following topics:
- Plasticity of glio-neuronal ensembles in cognition and behavior
- Dysfunction of glio-neuronal ensembles in NNDs
- Novel tools for glial signaling and function in NDDs
- Recent advances in vitro and humanized research models of neuroglia
- Neuron-glia communication
- Neuroglia and neuroinflammation
- Neuroglia signaling in myelination
- Demyelination and remyelination
- Neuroglia in sense perception and alterations by psychotropics
- Structural characterization and study of neuroglia heterogeneity across sex and brain regions
- Role of neuroglia in eating and metabolic disorders