About this Research Topic

Background

In neurological disease, current treatments that remove or reduce the causes at the cellular level or inhibit the onset or progression of disorders are often not sufficient on their own to regenerate neural function. Diseases in which such neural functional recovery is very challenging include stroke, spinal cord injury, encephalitis, multiple sclerosis, neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease and related disorders, neuromuscular diseases such as spinal muscular atrophy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and muscular dystrophy, and peripheral nerve diseases such as Guillain-Barre syndrome, familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy, and Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease.

Many aetiology-based treatments have been developed, but their effectiveness in regenerating neural function in clinical trials has been limited. This is extremely disappointing for patients and can result in discouraging research into developing new therapies. Furthermore, it may limit the potential for the development of an effective means of recovering function after the onset of the disease. Functional recovery must be the ultimate goal for treating nervous and neuromuscular systems. However, new and cutting-edge therapies such as enzymes, antibodies, nucleotides, gene transfer, small molecules and stem cells alone have thus far been shown to provide only partial functional recovery in neurological disorders.

Neuroprosthetic and Robotic devices are hugely promising therapeutic strategies in neurorehabilitation. They can have been shown to improve the gait function of patients with incurable, progressive neuromuscular diseases using cybernic devices. See for example https://doi.org/10.1186/s13023-021-01928-9. Furthermore, specific Research is needed on combined therapies with various devices such as robots, TMS, FES, BMI, EEG/NIRS-feedback, and Cybernic devices that can activate biofeedback loops and improve neural functions. However, at present, neither pilot trials, clinical trials, nor observational studies have been carried out.

This Research Topic aims to collect updated knowledge on how Device-supported Neuro-functional approaches can be integrated alongside classical treatments for neurodegeneration to improve patient outcomes and aid functional recovery. The editors welcome any types of manuscripts supported by the Journal – pertaining, but not limited to the following themes:

• Research reports not just on the device development itself but on the biological use of these devices for functional regeneration.

• Study reports on safety and efficacy in endpoints and on elucidating the mechanisms of functional regeneration with biomarkers; This can include case series, observational studies, and controlled trials (but see notes below). To stimulate this research area, we invite submissions of the results of these studies, including those in the preparatory stages.

• Studies on the efficacy and safety of Device-supported Neuro-functional approach with specific functional measures of recovery

• Pivotal RCTs mentioned above are welcome, as are pilot trials and case series studies aiming for RCTs.

We do not encourage the submission of single case reports unless there is clearly demonstrated a link between the underlying functional and biological recovery e.g., through the use of quantifiable biomarkers etc. see for example https://doi.org/10.3389/FNEUR.2022.905613. We also strongly encourage study reports on safety and efficacy in endpoints and on elucidating the mechanisms of functional regeneration with biomarkers. See for example https://www.jns-journal.com/article/S0022-510X(20)30276-8/fulltext and https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0191361.

Prospects for future available methods of clinical neurorehabilitation based on results from neural science are welcome, as results from laboratory studies, provided they are modeled for clinical application. In addition, we encourage content that illustrates the potential of future combined therapies with drugs, regenerative medicine, and devices at the cellular, animal, and clinical levels, together with functional regeneration and its biomarkers.

Potential conflicts of interest: Dr Yoshiki Sekijima receives Honoraria as well as research grants from Pfizer and Alnylam Pharmaceuticals. Dr Eiichi Tsuda received financial support for medical research from private hospitals (Hirosaki Memorial Hospital, Seijinkai Ono Hospitao, Jijinkai Ono Hospital, Nishikawa Hand and Orthopaedic Clinic, Komatsu Orthopaedic Clinic, Mitsuka Orthopaedic Clinic, and Aomori Jikeikai Hospital). Additionally, Dr Susanne Palmcrantz receives financial support for research purpose from a company, and is an advisory board member of a private company

Keywords: Cybernics, Wearable robot, Brain machine interface, Artificial neural connection, Magnetic stimulation, Electrical stimulation, Near infrared spectroscopy, functional MRI, Neural plasticity, Neuro-functional regeneration, Biomarkers of neural plasticity

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.

Frequently asked questions

• What is a Research Topic?

  Frontiers' Research Topics are collaborative hubs built around an emerging theme.Defined, managed, and led by renowned researchers, they bring communities together around a shared area of interest to stimulate collaboration and innovation.

  Unlike section journals, which serve established specialty communities, Research Topics are pioneer hubs, responding to the evolving scientific landscape and catering to new communities.

• Why does Frontiers publish Research Topics? 

  The goal of Frontiers' publishing program is to empower research communities to actively steer the course of scientific publishing. Our program was implemented as a three-part unit with fixed field journals, flexible specialty sections, and dynamically emerging Research Topics, connecting communities of different sizes and maturity.

  Research Topics originate from the scientific community. Many of our Research Topics are suggested by existing editorial board members who have identified critical challenges or areas of interest in their field.

• Why are Research Topics important for journals?

  As an editor, Research Topics will help you build your journal, as well as your community, around emerging, cutting-edge research. As research trailblazers, Research Topics attract high-quality submissions from leading experts all over the world.

  A thriving Research Topic can potentially evolve into a new specialty section if there is sustained interest and a growing community around it.

• How do we ensure the quality of articles within Research Topics?

  Each Research Topic must be approved by the specialty chief editor, and they fall under the editorial oversight of our editorial boards, supported by our in-house research integrity team. The same standards and rigorous peer review processes apply to articles published as part of a Research Topic as for any other article we publish.

    In 2023, 80% of the Research Topics we published were edited or co-edited by our editorial board members, who are already familiar with their journal's scope, ethos, and publishing model. All other topics are guest edited by leaders in their field, each vetted and formally approved by the specialty chief editor.

• What are the benefits of publishing my article in a Research Topic?

  Publishing your article within a Research Topic with other related articles increases its discoverability and visibility, which can lead to more views, downloads, and citations. Research Topics grow dynamically as more published articles are added, causing frequent revisiting, and further visibility.

  As Research Topics are multidisciplinary, they are cross-listed in several fields and section journals – increasing your reach even more and giving you the chance to expand your network and collaborate with researchers in different fields, all focusing on expanding knowledge around the same important topic.

  Our larger Research Topics are also converted into ebooks and receive social media promotion from our digital marketing team.

   
• What types of articles can be published in a Research Topic?

  Frontiers offers multiple article types, but it will depend on the field and section journals in which the Research Topic will be featured. The available article types for a Research Topic will appear in the drop-down menu during the submission process.

  Check available article types here 

• Can I suggest a new Research Topic? 

  Yes, we would love to hear your ideas for a topic. Most of our Research Topics are community-led and suggested by researchers in the field. Our in-house editorial team will contact you to talk about your idea and whether you’d like to edit the topic. If you’re an early-stage researcher, we will offer you the opportunity to coordinate your topic, with the support of a senior researcher as the topic editor. 

  Suggest your topic here 

• Who leads a Research Topic? 

  A team of guest editors (called topic editors) lead their Research Topic. This editorial team oversees the entire process, from the initial topic proposal to calls for participation, the peer review, and final publications.

  The team may also include topic coordinators, who help the topic editors send calls for participation, liaise with topic editors on abstracts, and support contributing authors. In some cases, they can also be assigned as reviewers.

• What is the role of a topic editor?

  As a topic editor (TE), you will take the lead on all editorial decisions for the Research Topic, starting with defining its scope. This allows you to curate research around a topic that interests you, bring together different perspectives from leading researchers across different fields and shape the future of your field. 

   

  You will choose your team of co-editors, curate a list of potential authors, send calls for participation and oversee the peer review process, accepting or recommending rejection for each manuscript submitted.

• What support will I receive when editing a new Research Topic? 

  As a topic editor, you're supported at every stage by our in-house team. You will be assigned a single point of contact to help you on both editorial and technical matters. Your topic is managed through our user-friendly online platform, and the peer review process is supported by our industry-first AI review assistant (AIRA).

• As a junior researcher, can I be involved in editing a Research Topic? 

  If you’re an early-stage researcher, we will offer you the opportunity to coordinate your topic, with the support of a senior researcher as the topic editor. This provides you with valuable editorial experience, improving your ability to critically evaluate research articles and enhancing your understanding of the quality standards and requirements for scientific publishing, as well as the opportunity to discover new research in your field, and expand your professional network.

• Can I get a certificate for editing a Research Topic?

  Yes, certificates can be issued on request. We are happy to provide a certificate for your contribution to editing a successful Research Topic.

• Who will I collaborate with?

  Research Topics thrive on collaboration and their multi-disciplinary approach around emerging, cutting-edge themes, attract leading researchers from all over the world.

• How long does it take to publish a Research Topic?

  As a topic editor, you can set the timeline for your Research Topic, and we will work with you at your pace. Typically, Research Topics are online and open for submissions within a few weeks and remain open for participation for 6 – 12 months. Individual articles within a Research Topic are published as soon as they are ready.

  Find out more about our Research Topics

• What fee support is available to authors publishing in a Research Topic?

  Our fee support program ensures that all articles that pass peer review, including those published in Research Topics, can benefit from open access – regardless of the author's field or funding situation.

  Authors and institutions with insufficient funding can apply for a discount on their publishing fees. A fee support application form is available on our website.

• Will there be a printed version of my RT?

  In line with our mission to promote healthy lives on a healthy planet, we do not provide printed materials. All our articles and ebooks are available under a CC-BY license, so you can share and print copies.