Marine mammals, in general, and cetaceans in particular, provide valuable information on the conditions of our seas. Sea mammals are homeotherms; some of them are long-lived species and located at the top of the marine food chain. Thus, they are considered bioindicator species and sentinels of the health of the sea. The lifespan of some marine mammals can be compared to the one of humans, making them a new and more authentic comparative natural model for the study of certain brain pathologies (i.e. neurodegenerative diseases). As a matter of fact, recent studies have drawn some novel attention to neurodegenerative diseases in some marine mammals (mainly some cetaceans and the California sea lion); it has been suggested that these animals might be one of the very few potential natural models of Alzheimer's. Moreover, a wide range of pathogens (virus, bacterias or parasites) as well as neoplastic and neurodevelopmental disorders have also been described. On the other side, it's important to establish the neuroanatomical references of the marine mammal brain, delving into comparative neuroanatomy, with a particular interest in the highly unusual cetacean brain. Extreme neocortical gyrification and brain adaptations to a fully aquatic lifestyle might support complex cognitive abilities.
With this in view, we open this Research Topic to implement the current knowledge on neuroanatomy and neuropathology in marine mammals, with a special focus on comparative aspects.
We welcome submissions from all fields of comparative neuroanatomy and neuropathology in marine mammals, with a special interest for works comparing to humans. Studies on marine mammals are particularly encouraged, however, we will gladly welcome studies on all marine species, also. These unconventional species may give new insights into the structure and function of the brain, the selective vulnerability of some neuronal populations, and the brain response to environmental threats. Research article with the latest scientific breakthroughs in the field will be highly considered. Nevertheless, other typologies of manuscripts will be considered for publication.
Marine mammals, in general, and cetaceans in particular, provide valuable information on the conditions of our seas. Sea mammals are homeotherms; some of them are long-lived species and located at the top of the marine food chain. Thus, they are considered bioindicator species and sentinels of the health of the sea. The lifespan of some marine mammals can be compared to the one of humans, making them a new and more authentic comparative natural model for the study of certain brain pathologies (i.e. neurodegenerative diseases). As a matter of fact, recent studies have drawn some novel attention to neurodegenerative diseases in some marine mammals (mainly some cetaceans and the California sea lion); it has been suggested that these animals might be one of the very few potential natural models of Alzheimer's. Moreover, a wide range of pathogens (virus, bacterias or parasites) as well as neoplastic and neurodevelopmental disorders have also been described. On the other side, it's important to establish the neuroanatomical references of the marine mammal brain, delving into comparative neuroanatomy, with a particular interest in the highly unusual cetacean brain. Extreme neocortical gyrification and brain adaptations to a fully aquatic lifestyle might support complex cognitive abilities.
With this in view, we open this Research Topic to implement the current knowledge on neuroanatomy and neuropathology in marine mammals, with a special focus on comparative aspects.
We welcome submissions from all fields of comparative neuroanatomy and neuropathology in marine mammals, with a special interest for works comparing to humans. Studies on marine mammals are particularly encouraged, however, we will gladly welcome studies on all marine species, also. These unconventional species may give new insights into the structure and function of the brain, the selective vulnerability of some neuronal populations, and the brain response to environmental threats. Research article with the latest scientific breakthroughs in the field will be highly considered. Nevertheless, other typologies of manuscripts will be considered for publication.