Neuro-Molecular Pathogenetic Mechanisms of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and Other Infant Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Dear Colleagues,

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is the leading cause of death among infants in the first year of age, with a frequency of 1 every 750–1000 live births. This syndrome refers to the sudden unexpected death of an infant under 1 year of age that remains unexplained after a thorough investigation, including a complete autopsy, detailed review of the circumstances of death and clinical history.

Even if the pathogenetic mechanism of SIDS has not yet been determined, neuropathology seems to be a consistent substrate. Subtle developmental abnormalities of brainstem nuclei checking the vital functions have been highlighted, frequently related to environmental risk factors (such as cigarette smoke, air pollution, pesticides, etc.). Exogenous toxic factors can in fact interact in complex ways with the genetic constitution of the infant, leading to polymorphisms and/or mutations of specific genes (such as polymorphisms of the serotonin transporter gene 5-HTT, the regulator of the synaptic serotonin concentration, frequently found in SIDS associated with hypoplasia of the raphe nuclei or mutations of genes required for cardiorespiratory activity that can predispose patients to SIDS).

Another aim of this proposal is to deepen the knowledge regarding developmental brain dysfunctions of the autonomic control that can be found in additional infant syndromes, such as Rett syndrome, cyclin-dependent kinase-like 5 (CDKL5) deficiency disorder, Pitt–Hopkins syndrome, congenital central hypoventilation syndrome (CCHS), and GRIN1-related neurodevelopmental disorder, characterized by frequent association with insufficient expression or mutations of specific genes in the context of the interactions with environmental risk factors (e.g. early exposure to smoking, air and water pollution, pesticides, food contamination).

The aim of this Special Issue is to collect new contributions useful to explain the pathogenesis of SIDS and other childhood neurodevelopmental disorders and consequently provide useful data for planning effective prevention strategies.

Expert researchers in this field are encouraged to submit high-quality original research articles and reviews aimed to widen the current knowledge on the neuropathological and molecular mechanisms underlying these nervous developmental disorders, also considering the correlations with possible risk factors.

Prof. Dr. Anna Maria Lavezzi
Guest Editor

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