From Neural Mechanisms to Plasticity-Driven Therapies: A Focus on Auditory Processing
A special issue of Brain Sciences (ISSN 2076-3425). This special issue belongs to the section "Sensory and Motor Neuroscience".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 July 2026 | Viewed by 18
Special Issue Editors
Interests: auditory cognitive neuroscience; cochlear implants; tinnitus; neuroesthetics; consumer neuroscience
Interests: cognitive and auditory neuroscience; experimental psychology; neurophysiological correlates of cognitive and emotional functions; electroencephalography (EEG); heart rate (HR); galvanic skin response (GSR); eye-tracking
Interests: cognitive and behavioral neuroscience; electrophysiological and biosignals (EEG, ECG, GSR, eye-tracking); neurorehabilitation; human–AI interaction
Interests: cellular and molecular mechanisms; non-invasive brain stimulation; brain connectivity; neurodegenerative diseases
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
The auditory system offers a unique window into understanding how the brain processes, adapts, and recovers from sensory challenges. This Special Issue of Brain Sciences will bring together cutting-edge research and integrative reviews that explore the neural underpinnings of sensory and, in particular, auditory processing, as well as the mechanisms of neuroplasticity that enable adaptive changes across the human lifespan and in response to therapy.
We invite contributions that bridge basic neuroscience, clinical research, and translational approaches, highlighting how insights into auditory neural mechanisms can inform the development of plasticity-driven interventions for auditory-related disorders. Topics may span molecular, cellular, systems, and cognitive levels of analysis, encompassing both animal and human studies.
Topics of interest:
- Neural encoding and decoding of sensory information in healthy and disordered systems;
- Cellular pathways involved in the physiological regulation and adaptation in response to sensorial stimuli;
- Plasticity of auditory pathways following sensory deprivation, hearing loss, or tinnitus;
- Neurophysiological and neuroimaging studies of auditory learning, adaptation, and rehabilitation;
- Cognitive and perceptual aspects of sensory processing and their neural correlates;
- Auditory system development, aging, and critical periods for plasticity;
- Plasticity-based therapeutic strategies (e.g., auditory training, neurostimulation, pharmacological interventions);
- Computational and modeling approaches linking auditory mechanisms to behavior and therapy outcomes.
Significance
Understanding how the brain dynamically reorganizes in response to auditory experience and injury is essential for advancing therapies that harness neuroplasticity. This Special Issue will promote interdisciplinary dialogue and highlight recent advances that move the field toward precision, mechanism-based interventions for sensory, and, in particular, auditory dysfunctions.
Dr. Giulia Cartocci
Dr. Bianca Maria Serena Inguscio
Dr. Dario Rossi
Dr. Saviana Antonella Barbati
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
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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. Brain Sciences 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 2200 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
- neuroplasticity
- sensory deprivation
- hearing loss
- cochlear implants
- hearing aids
- sensory disorders
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