About this Research Topic
When it comes to disorders of the central nervous system, different forms of degeneration and dysregulation play an important role. This research topic seeks contributions describing degeneration and dysregulation in the central nervous system (CNS) 1) via environmental, mental and aging problems, and 2) by drugs.
Traditionally, classifications of neurodegenerative disorders include Alzheimer's dementia, Parkinson's disease, Hungtington's disease, and the like that are characterized by loss of specific types of neurons at localized regions. For instance, the loss of dopaminergic nigrostriatal neurons in Parkinson's disease, the loss of striatal medium spiny neurons in Huntington's disease, and even diffuse cerebral atrophy in Alzheimer's dementia are well-known forms of degeneration. However, besides these restlessly progressive disorders, degenerations can be results of other disorders without such morphological correlates. Gradual loss of function of neurons until cell death can also be caused by natural aging and other factors, such as drug abuse. Drugs of abuse are notorious for exerting various adverse effects on the central nervous system. Most common drugs of abuse, such as methamphetamine, ketamine, heroin, cocaine, etc., exhibit neurotoxicity which causes degeneration and dysregulation in the central nervous system. Not only does repeated exposure of drugs leads to dysregulations that are closely related to addiction and neurocognitive deficits, various structural and functional brain abnormalities have also been reported among drug abusers. On the other hand, many other disorders too go hand in hand with dysregulation of the CNS, such as Autism, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), etc., and they are also of great interest to this topic.
To provide a more complete picture of degeneration and dysregulation of the CNS, this Research Topic invites contributions recounting or offering insight into impairments brought about by various spontaneous disorders and by drugs. Presentation of ongoing research is greatly encouraged.
Traditionally, classifications of neurodegenerative disorders include Alzheimer's dementia, Parkinson's disease, Hungtington's disease, and the like that are characterized by loss of specific types of neurons at localized regions. For instance, the loss of dopaminergic nigrostriatal neurons in Parkinson's disease, the loss of striatal medium spiny neurons in Huntington's disease, and even diffuse cerebral atrophy in Alzheimer's dementia are well-known forms of degeneration. However, besides these restlessly progressive disorders, degenerations can be results of other disorders without such morphological correlates. Gradual loss of function of neurons until cell death can also be caused by natural aging and other factors, such as drug abuse. Drugs of abuse are notorious for exerting various adverse effects on the central nervous system. Most common drugs of abuse, such as methamphetamine, ketamine, heroin, cocaine, etc., exhibit neurotoxicity which causes degeneration and dysregulation in the central nervous system. Not only does repeated exposure of drugs leads to dysregulations that are closely related to addiction and neurocognitive deficits, various structural and functional brain abnormalities have also been reported among drug abusers. On the other hand, many other disorders too go hand in hand with dysregulation of the CNS, such as Autism, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), etc., and they are also of great interest to this topic.
To provide a more complete picture of degeneration and dysregulation of the CNS, this Research Topic invites contributions recounting or offering insight into impairments brought about by various spontaneous disorders and by drugs. Presentation of ongoing research is greatly encouraged.
Keywords: degeneration, aging, dysregulation, drugs, central nervous system
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.
