Neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders present overt brain pathology and are thought to result from disruption of synaptic circuits affecting cognitive, social, and emotional processing. Due to the approach of genomic innovation, genetic risk factors for mental disorders have been recognized at a remarkable rate, helping a broader understanding of the molecular basis of the pathogenesis. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS), single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), and copy number variants (CNV) have detected a number of common and rare variants that are associated with varying degrees in mental disorders. Numerous genes have been identified to play a role in synaptic regulation. Studies of mechanisms regulating synaptic growth and structural plasticity may be important for understanding the causes of these disorders. Structural plasticity of circuits includes excitatory and inhibitory neurons and changes in presynaptic and postsynaptic terminals.
Dendritic spines undergo morphological changes with experience and stimulation in living animals, and even minute changes in dendritic spines can significantly affect synaptic function, connectivity patterns, and plasticity of neural circuits. Alterations in spine morphology and number accompany synapse formation, maintenance, and elimination during development and in adulthood, allowing the establishment and remodeling of connectivity within neuronal circuits. Disease-specific changes in shape, size, or number of dendritic spines have been associated with mental disorders, suggesting that dendritic spines may serve as a common substrate for many neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders.
In this Research Topic, we aim to discuss recent neuropathology, genetics, molecular mechanisms, and animal model studies implicating structural alterations of synapses in the pathogenesis of major mental disorders with a focus on neurodevelopmental, psychiatric, and neurocognitive disorders.
• Identification of mechanisms and roles for high-risk genes from genomic studies of idiopathic mental disorders.
• Structural plasticity that occurs in pre or postsynaptic sites, dendrites, and spines, which are abnormal.
• Change in dendritic complexity and spine morphology in genetically engineered animal models
Primary articles and reviews are preferred however we welcome all article types under the scope of the Research Topic.
Neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders present overt brain pathology and are thought to result from disruption of synaptic circuits affecting cognitive, social, and emotional processing. Due to the approach of genomic innovation, genetic risk factors for mental disorders have been recognized at a remarkable rate, helping a broader understanding of the molecular basis of the pathogenesis. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS), single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), and copy number variants (CNV) have detected a number of common and rare variants that are associated with varying degrees in mental disorders. Numerous genes have been identified to play a role in synaptic regulation. Studies of mechanisms regulating synaptic growth and structural plasticity may be important for understanding the causes of these disorders. Structural plasticity of circuits includes excitatory and inhibitory neurons and changes in presynaptic and postsynaptic terminals.
Dendritic spines undergo morphological changes with experience and stimulation in living animals, and even minute changes in dendritic spines can significantly affect synaptic function, connectivity patterns, and plasticity of neural circuits. Alterations in spine morphology and number accompany synapse formation, maintenance, and elimination during development and in adulthood, allowing the establishment and remodeling of connectivity within neuronal circuits. Disease-specific changes in shape, size, or number of dendritic spines have been associated with mental disorders, suggesting that dendritic spines may serve as a common substrate for many neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders.
In this Research Topic, we aim to discuss recent neuropathology, genetics, molecular mechanisms, and animal model studies implicating structural alterations of synapses in the pathogenesis of major mental disorders with a focus on neurodevelopmental, psychiatric, and neurocognitive disorders.
• Identification of mechanisms and roles for high-risk genes from genomic studies of idiopathic mental disorders.
• Structural plasticity that occurs in pre or postsynaptic sites, dendrites, and spines, which are abnormal.
• Change in dendritic complexity and spine morphology in genetically engineered animal models
Primary articles and reviews are preferred however we welcome all article types under the scope of the Research Topic.