Disorders in Brain Development and Nervous System: Key Molecules and Pathology

Dear Colleagues,

Brain development is the biological process by which neurons are generated. And this process of neuronal development includes proliferation, differentiation, migration, axonal guidance, synaptogenesis, and neural network formation. Prenatal and postnatal brain development are very important for our later social life. During the prenatal and early postnatal period, brain growth is extremely rapid, and in humans, in just his first eight years after birth, the foundation for future learning and health can be laid. However, it is well known that neurons during this developmental stage respond to a myriad of chemical factors, nutritional status, toxins, infections, and many other factors. In the central nervous system, a myriad of chemical factors have been shown to impair not only neuronal differentiation and development, but also neural circuit formation, normal function and morphogenesis, and the association of neurons and glial cells. On the other hand, our brain continues to develop slowly and reach maturity, after which its function gradually weakens. During these times and throughout our lives, various factors affect the neurons in our brains. In recent years, it has become increasingly clear that changes in lifestyle habits and various environmental changes affect the neurons themselves or neural circuits in the brain.

It is necessary to investigate and elucidate the factors that affect the brain, and to analyze in detail how these factors affect the brain. This special issue of the journal calls for discussion of factors that influence prenatal, postnatal, and mature brain structure and function by many molecular factors, and the pathology of the affected brain.

Prof. Dr. Kazuhiko Nakadate
Guest Editor

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