Circadian Plasticity – A Collaboration Between Neuronal and Glial Oscillators

The increasing number of glial cells in the brains of Drosophila (25%), rodent (65%) and human (90%) suggests that neuronal circuits in more complex brains have to be assisted by higher number of non-neuronal cells. Indeed, the glial cells, once recognized as merely the supportive cells for neurons, have emerged as major contributors to neuronal circuits formation and functioning, including signaling. Consequently, neurons and glial cells are currently perceived as partners that communicate and strongly influence each other.
This research topic focuses on the role of neuronal and glial cells as circadian oscillators (neuronal and glial clocks) generating circadian rhythms on cellular and organismal levels. The main objective, however, is to review our current understanding of much less studied glial contribution to circadian rhythms, as well as the team work of glial cells and neurons. We encourage review articles and original research papers that show examples of glial circadian/daily rhythms in gene expression and structural plasticity, as well as glia-derived plasticity promoting neuronal plastic changes, e.g. circadian synaptic plasticity, circadian plastic changes of dendrites or circuits morphology. We also welcome submissions demonstrating the importance of neuronal and glial oscillators in circadian synchronization of metabolism, physiology or behavior.