About this Research Topic

Background

Genetic-induced metal accumulation, metabolic product accumulation, and environmental or occupational exposure to neurotoxic substances like heavy metals and industrial chemicals similarly pose serious risks to neural health, often presenting with movement and balance disorders, and cognitive impairment.
Wilson's disease, a rare inheritable disorder of copper metabolism, presents unique clinical challenges through excessive copper accumulation not only in the blood but also in various organs like the liver, kidneys, bones, and brain. This leads to a broad spectrum of clinical symptoms including movement disorders, mood changes, and cognitive impairment, alongside liver and skeletal issues. Hemochromatosis is another metal metabolism disorder that includes serious neurological manifestations. Moreover, neurotoxicity can derive from metabolic product accumulation or exposure to neurotoxins from environmental or occupational sources. Neurological impairment may be influenced by the genetic status, background, the biological activity of the neurotoxins, and the acute vs cumulative dose of metal or neurotoxin uptake. Research on the pathophysiology of metal or metabolic product accumulation and neurotoxicological processes will possibly shed light on the further development of sensitive biomarkers and pave the way for potential therapeutic advances including symptom prevention.

Goal
This Research Topic aims to provide a comprehensive exploration of the neurological aspects of metal accumulation (as Wilson´s disease or hemochromatosis), metabolic product accumulation, and neurotoxin exposure, including underlying genetic predisposition, clinical manifestations, treatment strategies, and long-term management. By addressing critical topics related to genotype-phenotype correlations, the differences in disease outcomes between homozygotic twins, potential side effects of long-term therapy, and other clinically relevant aspects such as compliance, we aim to deepen our understanding of the complexities surrounding the neurological aspect of these diseases. We believe this Research Topic will be a valuable resource for the medical and research community, contributing to improved patient care and better outcomes for individuals exposed to metal accumulation and neurotoxins.

Scope and information for authors
To gather further insights into the neurological manifestations of Wilson’s Disease, metal or metabolic product accumulation, and neurotoxin exposure, we welcome the submission of various types of manuscripts supported by the journal (including Brief Research Reports, Perspective, Mini-Review, Original Research, Systematic Reviews, etc.) addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:
- Early Postnatal Diagnosis and Mutation Panels: Evaluating the significance of early diagnosis using mutation panels to facilitate timely interventions and improve long-term outcomes.
- Genotype-Phenotype Correlations: Investigating the relationship between specific genetic variations and the clinical neurological presentation before initiation of personalized treatment approaches.
- Initiation of Conservative Treatment and Liver Transplantation: Assessing the effectiveness of conservative treatment strategies and the role of liver transplantation as a rescue therapy for neurological involvement in acute and subacute liver failure.
- Long-Term Therapy and Side Effects: Examining the implications of prolonged use of neuropharmacological treatments, and strategies to minimize adverse effects while maintaining therapeutic efficacy.
- Non-Compliance and Treatment Monitoring: Addressing challenges related to long-term treatment adherence and the selection of sensitive biomarkers for effective treatment monitoring.
- Differences in outcome in special subgroups of patients and Homozygotic Twins: Exploring the variations in disease progression and severity between twins with identical genetic makeup to identify potential factors influencing neurological disease outcomes.
- Comorbidities, malignancies, and rare disease combinations: Investigating the association of Wilson's disease (or other metal accumulation diseases) with comorbid neurological conditions, including exceptional cases with rare comorbidities such as myasthenia gravis or multiple sclerosis.
- Age-dependent neurological changes and Life Expectancy: Examining the neurological progression with age, the potential development of new age-dependent neurological symptoms, and their impact on life expectancy.

Articles accepted after peer review will be published and appear online as soon as approved for publication.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic is open for submission in the following formats:

• Brief Research Report
• Clinical Trial
• Editorial
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic is open for submission in the following formats:

• Brief Research Report
• Clinical Trial
• Editorial
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Policy and Practice Reviews
• Review
• Study Protocol
• Systematic Review

Keywords: Wilson's disease, copper metabolism, genotype-phenotype correlation, mutation panels, treatment, genetic predisposition, diagnosis, neurological manifestations, neurotoxicity, heavy metal accumulation

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.