The Prefrontal Cortex in Cognition and Diseases
A special issue of Biomedicines (ISSN 2227-9059). This special issue belongs to the section "Neurobiology and Clinical Neuroscience".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 January 2026 | Viewed by 16
Special Issue Editor
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
The prefrontal cortex (PFC) serves as a pivotal neural substrate mediating higher-order cognitive processes, including working memory, behavioral inhibition, cognitive flexibility, attention, decision-making, and emotion regulation. Recent advances in neuroimaging, molecular biology, and neurophysiological techniques have facilitated comprehensive, multi-level investigations elucidating the neural mechanisms of prefrontal cognitive function. Meanwhile, PFC dysfunction has been extensively implicated as a central neuropathological feature in a spectrum of neuropsychiatric disorders, including anxiety disorders, major depressive disorder, schizophrenia, and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Moreover, the PFC exhibits pronounced structural and functional plasticity throughout its lifespan, characterized by dynamic developmental remodeling and age-related degenerative alterations, which critically influence cognitive functions and mental health outcomes.
Considering the pivotal role of the PFC in orchestrating higher-order cognitive functions and its multifaceted involvement in neuropsychiatric disorders, neurodevelopmental trajectories, and aging processes, comprehensively elucidating its underlying neurobiological mechanisms is imperative. Investigations in this domain advance our shared mechanistic understanding of brain function and hold substantial clinical promise for enhancing diagnostic precision, optimizing preventive measures, refining therapeutic approaches, and improving prognostic assessments of associated neuropathologies.
This Special Issue will consolidate cutting-edge research outcomes from multidisciplinary fields, including neuroscience, psychiatry, developmental biology, geriatrics, and developmental psychology. It will focus on the following thematic areas in particular:
- Multi-level neural mechanisms of prefrontal cognitive functions;
- Pathophysiology of PFC dysfunction in neuropsychiatric disorders;
- Developmental plasticity of the PFC and its impact on cognition and behavior;
- Age-related changes and mechanisms of PFC degeneration;
- Neural modulation and intervention strategies targeting prefrontal cognitive dysfunction;
- Translational and interdisciplinary approaches in PFC research.
Dr. Xuehan Zhang
Guest Editor
Manuscript Submission Information
Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.
Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Biomedicines is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.
Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.
Keywords
- executive function
- working memory
- behavioral inhibition
- attention
- anxiety
- social behavior
- ADHD (attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder)
- schizophrenia
- MDD (major depressive disorder)
- AD (Alzheimer's disease)
- PD (Parkinson’s disease)
Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue
- Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
- Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
- Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
- External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
- Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.
Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.
