Novel Approaches to Foster Brain Plasticity in Neurodevelopmental and Neurodegenerative Disorders

Neural plasticity is the capacity of the nervous system to modify its structure, functions, and connections in response to internal or external stimuli. A key characteristic of neurons is their ability to adjust the strength and effectiveness of synaptic transmission through various activity-dependent mechanisms, commonly known as synaptic plasticity. Over the past century, research has demonstrated that neural plasticity is a fundamental aspect of nervous systems across a spectrum of scales, ranging from synaptic contacts to the whole brain. This phenomenon plays a crucial role in processes such as learning and memory, brain development, injury recovery, and adaptation to environmental changes. Importantly, brain plasticity stands out as a crucial target for improving the outcomes of diverse brain pathologies, including neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders.

Despite extensive exploration into the mechanisms governing neural plasticity, the precise influence of plasticity on brain morphology and physiology remains unclear. Consequently, delving into the study of neural plasticity remains essential for a comprehensive understanding of how the brain functions.

With this Research Topic, we aim to gather novel approaches for modulating brain plasticity, with a focus on neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders.

In this Research Topic we welcome articles on:

(1) Recent advancements in the methodologies to study brain plasticity

(2) Review of novel technologies for the stimulation of brain plasticity

(3) Perspectives on the gaps to be filled in the study of brain plasticity

(4) Novel approaches for stimulating brain plasticity in neurodevelopmental or neurodegenerative disorders

(5) Recent advancements in the knowledge about brain plasticity in neurodevelopmental or neurodegenerative disorders