The brain—from neurodevelopment to neurodegeneration

Abstract

The brain is the organ that orchestrates the whole body. To do so, neurons and glia in different brain regions have evolved to be highly specialized and are regulated by diverse receptors and neuro‐ and gliotransmitters. Some of the features of the brain, including a protective brain–blood barrier, high‐energy demand, and electrical activity, mean that neurons and astrocytes are uniquely diverse components of tissue that vary greatly even across brain regions. This Special Issue features 19 review articles that cover different aspects of the broad field of neuroscience—from neurodevelopment, physiology and memory formation to the mechanisms underlying the development of neurodegenerative diseases.

Mechanisms of Zika astrocyte infection and neuronal toxicity

“…We propose that ZIKV-infected astrocytes compromise the cell migration of the neurons into the appropriate position in the brain. Astrocytes are critical for the proper destiny and formation of future brain structures [ 92 ], [ 93 ], [ 94 ], [ 95 ], [ 96 ], [ 97 ]. Several diseases and animal models indicate that impaired neural cell migration leads to malformations, as described in ZIKV infection, including autism, schizophrenia, and other developmental brain issues.…”

The Role of Choline in Neurodevelopmental Disorders—A Narrative Review Focusing on ASC, ADHD and Dyslexia

“…The brain is a central organ that orchestrates the whole body [ 29 ]. The human brain begins to develop as early as the third week into gestation when neural progenitor cells differentiate; this process extends into later adolescence and potentially across the lifespan [ 30 ].…”

“…If fetuses have a limited nutrient supply in utero they need to adapt; this is a process that can permanently modify their structure/metabolism, inducing ‘programme changes’ that can be the origins of other conditions later in life (the ‘fetal origins of adult disease’) [ 33 ]. It is now well recognized that changes in brain function can lead to a spectrum of NDDs [ 29 ].…”

“…Such exposures during these sensitive windows of life are another factor considered to influence brain development [ 36 ]. Increasingly, it is well appreciated that normal neurodevelopment is central for brain functions across the lifespan, with any modulations potentially contributing to brain dysfunction [ 29 ]. Heland et al (2022) recently proposed that nutritional deficits, to some extent, could potentially prevent neurodiversity, as certain nutrients have the ability to improve neurodevelopmental outcomes by mitigating pathological processes such as inflammation, hypoxia and oxidative stress [ 37 ].…”

The FEBS Journal in 2023: building back better

“…1), covering 'Cancer Epigenetics' edited by Diego Pasini (University of Milan), 'Neurobiology' edited by editorial board member, Andrey Abramov (University College London), 'Infection and Immunity' edited by Inna Afonina (VIB-UGent Center for Inflammation Research) and Eik Hoffmann (Institute Pasteur Lille), 'Organelle Homeostasis' edited by editorial board member Colin Adrian (Queen's University Belfast), and a Focus Issue on 'Oxygen sensing, hypoxia and ROS signaling' edited by journal staff editors Paraminder Dhillon and Eleni Skourti. All these Special Issues contain many excellent and informative reviews that are all freely downloadable and well worth reading [1][2][3][4][5]. You can find all of our Special Issues at the journal's website here, and if you are interested in serving as a guest editor for a special issue in the coming year, we would love to hear from you.…”