Synaptic Plasticity and the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory
A special issue of Cells (ISSN 2073-4409). This special issue belongs to the section "Cells of the Nervous System".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 10 November 2025 | Viewed by 717
Special Issue Editors
Interests: development; behavioral neuroscience; neuroanatomy
Interests: neurodegeneration; behavioral neuroscience; transcriptomics; learning
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Learning and memory are fundamental brain functions allowing us to adapt to the environment and improve performance over time, and, ultimately, build up our own history as unique creatures. Learning and memory functions require modification of neural networks through the key mechanism of synaptic plasticity, the process in which the strength of synapses is altered in response to the pattern of activity. Namely, while learning brings about changes in synaptic strength within neuronal circuits, the persistence of these changes represents the way memories are stored. The synaptic modification and sculpting of neuronal connections in response to environmental inputs are crucial steps in the chain of cellular and biochemical events that lead to memories formed in cell assemblies and neural networks. Synaptic modifications of neural networks are what account for the cognitive basis of learning and memory. In fact, various forms of memory (short- and long-term memory, implicit and declarative memory) and learning (visual, kinesthetic, social, observational) are encoded as short-to-long lived rearrangements in synaptic efficiency and in the structure of neuronal networks and share a common molecular alphabet. Notwithstanding, in mammals, various brain areas participate in distinct forms of memory, and the cellular and molecular mechanisms are closely similar and utilize elements of a common genetic program. The present Special Issue is aimed at examining the synaptic plastic mechanisms underlying various forms of memory and learning. Although many data have partially elucidated the physiological mechanisms at synapse and network levels, many questions remain open about the relationship among the intracellular biochemical processes, the plasticity of neuronal networks, and learning and memory processes.
Dr. Anna Panuccio
Dr. Erica Berretta
Dr. Laura Petrosini
Guest Editors
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. Cells is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly 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 2700 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
- learning and memory
- neuronal and glial cells
- long-term potentiation and long-term depression
- molecular mechanisms
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.
