Synaptic plasticity is a dynamic alteration in the biophysical properties of the synapse in response to different stimuli (normal or pathophysiological), ultimately leading to either the strengthening or weakening of the synapse as a function of the neurons' activity. According to the large amount of evidence reported in the literature, many stimuli, such as environmental pressures, changes in the internal dynamic steady state of the organism and even injuries or illnesses, such as epilepsy, may induce neuroplasticity. Moreover, astrocytes are key players in synaptic function and cognitive behavior, and they have a very well documented pro/anti-epileptic role in epilepsy. Thus, it is urgent to understand the mechanisms underlying the implications of astrocytes for synaptic plasticity and its relation with epilepsy.
Our research topic aims to understand the crosstalk between seizures and synaptic plasticity. Furthermore, we intend to explore the astrocytic role in synaptic plasticity events in epilepsy, and its implication for the cognitive deficits reported in epilepsy. With this research topic, we seek to identify new astrocyte-based therapies to treat both seizures and the cognitive deficits associated with changes in synaptic plasticity. In particular, there is a pressing clinical need to identify seizure-related molecular alterations that impact on synaptic morphology, brain functional network and cognitive changes. The astrocyte-seizure interplay on the before cited mechanism is still poorly known and this research topic aims to shine a light on the active role of astrocytes in seizure pro/anti-epileptic mechanisms as well as to pinpoint new astrocyte-based anti-epileptic therapies.
This research topic welcomes submissions of Original Research Articles as well as Hypothesis and Theory, Methods, Mini Reviews and Review Articles on new discoveries/approaches on the astrocyte pro/anti-epileptic mechanisms for synaptic plasticity and cognitive behavior. In more detail, we seek for contributions (but not limited to) that will uncover the following topics:
• Synaptic plasticity changes before and after seizure onset;
• Astrocytic role in epilepsy;
• Astrocytic role upon synaptic plasticity under seizures events;
• Astrocytic role in seizure generation and termination;
• Synaptic Event changes during ictogenesis, and how astrocytes modulate them;
• Seizure specific synaptic plasticity changes;
• Alteration in cognitive behavior and its relation with synaptic plasticity in epilepsy.
Synaptic plasticity is a dynamic alteration in the biophysical properties of the synapse in response to different stimuli (normal or pathophysiological), ultimately leading to either the strengthening or weakening of the synapse as a function of the neurons' activity. According to the large amount of evidence reported in the literature, many stimuli, such as environmental pressures, changes in the internal dynamic steady state of the organism and even injuries or illnesses, such as epilepsy, may induce neuroplasticity. Moreover, astrocytes are key players in synaptic function and cognitive behavior, and they have a very well documented pro/anti-epileptic role in epilepsy. Thus, it is urgent to understand the mechanisms underlying the implications of astrocytes for synaptic plasticity and its relation with epilepsy.
Our research topic aims to understand the crosstalk between seizures and synaptic plasticity. Furthermore, we intend to explore the astrocytic role in synaptic plasticity events in epilepsy, and its implication for the cognitive deficits reported in epilepsy. With this research topic, we seek to identify new astrocyte-based therapies to treat both seizures and the cognitive deficits associated with changes in synaptic plasticity. In particular, there is a pressing clinical need to identify seizure-related molecular alterations that impact on synaptic morphology, brain functional network and cognitive changes. The astrocyte-seizure interplay on the before cited mechanism is still poorly known and this research topic aims to shine a light on the active role of astrocytes in seizure pro/anti-epileptic mechanisms as well as to pinpoint new astrocyte-based anti-epileptic therapies.
This research topic welcomes submissions of Original Research Articles as well as Hypothesis and Theory, Methods, Mini Reviews and Review Articles on new discoveries/approaches on the astrocyte pro/anti-epileptic mechanisms for synaptic plasticity and cognitive behavior. In more detail, we seek for contributions (but not limited to) that will uncover the following topics:
• Synaptic plasticity changes before and after seizure onset;
• Astrocytic role in epilepsy;
• Astrocytic role upon synaptic plasticity under seizures events;
• Astrocytic role in seizure generation and termination;
• Synaptic Event changes during ictogenesis, and how astrocytes modulate them;
• Seizure specific synaptic plasticity changes;
• Alteration in cognitive behavior and its relation with synaptic plasticity in epilepsy.
