Molecular signaling, Circuit Neuroplasticity and the Cognitive Function

Dear Colleagues,

What is cognition from a molecular and cellular perspective? How does the plastic rearrangement of synaptic contacts generate specific patterns of neuronal activity so that some—and not other—cognitive functions emerge? Which specific molecular signaling pathways become suppressed in the aged brain to restrain the unleashing of those neuronal skills that make youngsters such efficient learners?

No matter how enigmatic the phenomenon of cognition appears to be, it is nothing but reasonable to conclude that cognition, understood as a property of given nervous systems, is not only a cognoscible phenomenon but also one not exclusive to humans and, moreover, not exclusive to brains. Our approaches to the problem of the physical nature of cognition can thus afford perspectives free of anthropomorphized boundaries. In this regard, the use of animal models and the combination of in vivo and in vitro approaches comprise powerful experimental tools in neuroscience in the search for the structural, molecular, cellular, and functional underpinnings of the cognitive function.

The Cells team is delighted to invite you to contribute with your original research articles and reviews to this Topic Collection addressing molecular, cellular, and neural circuit functional mechanisms of the nervous system that generate and regulate cognitive function (including—but not limited to—attention, emotion, social cognition, and learning and memory) in health and disease.

We look forward to learning about your findings.

Dr. Francisco Monje
Collection Editor

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