Advances in the Physiopathology of Neurodevelopmental Disorders
A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Neurobiology".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 January 2026) | Viewed by 2469
Special Issue Editor
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Neuronal development is a continuous and highly dynamic process starting in embryonic stages and becoming further defined throughout childhood and adolescence. The maturation of neuronal networks depends on key mechanisms leading the developmental course, including neuroprogenitor proliferation, neuronal differentiation, migration and synaptogenesis. This dynamic process involves multiple cell types and specific interactions with microglia, astrocytes and oligodendrocyte that drive the building and maintenance of functional neuronal networks in the brain. Pitfalls in this highly complex machinery underlie brain disorders, the clinical manifestations of which depend on the age of onset and the extent of the damage. In recent decades, studies of brain disorders of genetic origin have allowed us to delve into the molecular mechanisms underlying the most common neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs), such as intellectual disabilities, epilepsy and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In this context, the critical relevance of selected cellular pathways for neuronal function has emerged. Indeed, pathogenetic variants in genes involved in ionic channel function, synaptic transmission, endo-lysosomal homeostasis and intracellular trafficking are commonly known to underlie several neurodevelopmental phenotypes in human patients.
Understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms of NDDs is crucial for developing innovative and targeted therapies. This Special Issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences aims to bring together state-of-the-art original research and reviews on novel advances in the physiopathology of a wide range of NDDs, including cortical malformations, developmental and epileptic encephalopathies (DEEs), intellectual disabilities, ASD and epilepsies.
Dr. Antonio Falace
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-blind 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.
Keywords
- neuronal development
- synaptogenesis
- developmental and epileptic encephalopathy
- epilepsy
- biomarkers
- neuroimmunology
- translational research
- cortical malformation
- neurodegeneration
Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue
- Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
- Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
- Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
- External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
- Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.
Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.
