Role of Gene Regulation in Neurological Disorders

Dear Colleagues,

Neurological disorders encompass a diverse range of dysfunctions in the central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral nervous system (PNS). The most common neurological conditions include Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), Huntington's disease (HD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), fragile X syndrome (FXS), fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS), dementia, epilepsy, migraine, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and multiple sclerosis (MS). These disorders can vary significantly in terms of symptoms and severity but often have a common impact on individuals' daily lives.

It is well acknowledged that gene expression plays a crucial role in the development and progression of neurological disorders, as it regulates how cells in the nervous system respond to both internal and external stimuli. Dysregulated gene expression, driven by genetic mutations, environmental influences, or epigenetic modifications, can disrupt protein production and metabolic processes, contributing to the underlying pathology of these disorders.

A comprehensive understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying neurological disorders is crucial in the development of effective therapies. While progress in this area was previously slow and fragmented, recent advances in molecular, spatial, and sequencing technologies have significantly accelerated research. These breakthroughs have enabled detailed genetic, epigenetic, and genomic analyses, uncovering key genetic factors, modifiers, metabolic pathways, and molecular variants. Moreover, emerging insights into dynamic changes at the spatial, temporal, and single-cell levels have provided a deeper understanding of the pathogenesis and progression of these disorders. These new discoveries hold promise for transformative therapeutic innovations.

This Special Issue will specifically focus on research achievements in models of cells (such as neurons, NSCs, and glial cells), brain organoids, and animals. We invite contributions that explore the generation, development, functions, and pathophysiology of neurological disorders. Our aim in launching this Special Issue is to uncover novel molecular mechanisms, biomarkers, and pathogenesis factors that contribute to the onset and progression of neurodegenerative and psychiatric conditions.

Contributors are invited to submit original research, review, and perspective articles. Manuscripts should address the molecular mechanisms behind nerve cell development, the pathogenesis of neurological disorders, and potential therapeutic strategies in neurological diseases. Possible topics include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Innovative approaches (technologies / methods / tools) to the investigation of nerve cell development and dysfunction and neurological disorders;
• The discovery of new molecular (genetic, epigenetic, and epitranscriptomic) mechanisms involved in the regulation of neurodevelopment and neurological disorders;
• The discovery of new biomarkers / metabolic pathways for the aberrant regulation of nerve cell development and neurological disorders;
• The discovery of neurotoxicity caused by drugs in in vitro models;
• In vitro human organoids and in vivo animal models applied to the study of neurodevelopment and related diseases;
• Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) involved in neurological disorders;
• Small-molecule compound screening to identify candidates involved in the development of nerve cells, NSCs, organoids, and the pathogenesis of neurological disorders for drug development;

*Please note: Manuscripts based solely on public datasets without biological validation will not be accepted for this Special Issue.

Dr. Yujing Li
Dr. Yulin Jin
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.

• gene regulation
• neurological disorders
• central nervous system (CNS)
• peripheral nervous system (PNS)
• Alzheimer's disease (AD)
• Parkinson's disease (PD)
• Huntington's disease (HD)
• autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
• fragile X syndrome (FXS)
• fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS)
• amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
• multiple sclerosis (MS)