Cerebrovasculature in Focus: bridging the gap between mental health and illness

Neuropsychiatric disorders are clinically recognized conditions that significantly impact an individual's thoughts, emotions, and behavior, leading to suffering and disrupting daily life. What makes the study of neuropsychiatric disorders even more critical is that many of them have their onset during childhood or adolescence, a period marked by crucial brain development. The developing brain is highly susceptible to a myriad of influences, both genetic and environmental. Disruptions during this formative phase can have long-lasting and profound effects on an individual's mental health. Abnormal cerebrovascular pathologies and disturbances of cerebral blood flow have repeatedly been observed in individuals with schizophrenia, autism, anxiety, and depression, employing both traditional and state-of-the-art methodologies. The cerebrovascular system not only delivers vital nutrients and oxygen to brain cells but also plays a pivotal role in maintaining the brain's overall well-being. Indeed, the brain relies on a well-functioning vascular system to meet its energy demands. Any disturbances in the formation of this network can lead to improper brain structure and functioning, potentially contributing to neuropsychiatric disorders. Consequently, this complex network of blood vessels holds the key to understanding brain health and the onset of neurological diseases. Recent advances in in vivo and ex vivo imaging techniques have substantially increased our understanding of the development of brain vasculature and alterations during neurological disorders. Moreover, the advancing omics era has also highlighted the presence of cellular changes in brain vasculature during the progression of these diseases. However, still very little is known about how vascular alterations could contribute to cellular dysfunction and damage that are often associated with neuropsychiatric diseases.

This research topic aims to delve deeper into the crucial relationship between cerebrovascular changes and mental disorders. By uncovering the mechanisms through which the vasculature influences disease progression, we hope to identify innovative therapeutic targets and interventions. The contributions to this collection are poised to provide invaluable insights into the connections between cerebrovasculature, brain health, and disease, offering a foundation for future discoveries and improved treatments for neuropsychiatric and mental illness conditions.

To gather further insights into the intricate relationship between cerebrovasculature and neuropsychiatric disorders, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:

- Advancing imaging tools for visualizing brain vasculature in health and diseases.
- Alterations in brain vasculature accompanying neuropsychiatric disorders.
- Unravelling molecular aspects of cerebrovascular development.
- Influence of vascular homeostasis in neural tissue health.
- Clinical studies targeting brain vasculature.
- Biomarkers to assess cerebrovascular alterations.
- Tools to assess cerebrovascular development.
- Cerebrovascular inflammation in neurological diseases.
- Contribution of glia on cerebrovascular development, health, and their influence on vascular dysfunction in neuropsychiatric illness