Neurological and Neurodevelopmental Disorders: Models, Drugs and Technologies

Dear Colleagues,

Neurological and neurodevelopmental disorders represent a major global health challenge, affecting millions across all age groups and imposing substantial burdens on individuals, families, and healthcare systems. These conditions—ranging from autism spectrum disorder and ADHD to Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease—share complex pathophysiological mechanisms that remain incompletely understood, limiting the development of effective therapeutic interventions.

Recent advances in disease modeling, including three-dimensional cell cultures, brain organoids, and organ-on-chip technologies, have opened unprecedented opportunities to study these disorders at the molecular and cellular levels. Concurrently, the integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning into drug discovery platforms, combined with high-throughput screening methodologies, is accelerating the identification of novel therapeutic candidates from both natural and synthetic sources.

This Special Issue will bring together cutting-edge research that advances our understanding of neurological and neurodevelopmental disorders through innovative models, therapeutic agents, and emerging technologies. We welcome original research articles, comprehensive reviews, and perspectives that explore the following:

• Advanced disease modeling systems (organoids, 3D cultures, organ-on-chip);
• Molecular mechanisms, signaling pathways, and disease heterogeneity;
• Therapeutic discovery: natural products, drug repurposing, and novel compounds;
• AI/machine learning applications and high-throughput screening platforms;
• Precision medicine and individualized therapeutic strategies;
• Translational research bridging basic science to clinical applications.

We invite contributions that span a spectrum from basic molecular investigations to translational applications, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration to advance the field of neurological research and therapeutic development.

Prof. Dr. Su-Yun Lyu
Guest Editor

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 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

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-anonymized peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Molecular Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. There is an Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal. For details about the APC please see here. 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.