Function of the Fibroblast Growth Factor (FGF) Family in the Cortical Circuit Formation and Maintenance

Dear Colleagues,

Abnormal levels of FGFs and FGF receptors (FGFRs) have been detected in various neurological disorders, including schizophrenia, anxiety, depression, brain tumors, Alzheimer’s disease, and Parkinson’s disease. Despite this evidence, a causal relationship between dysregulated FGF–FGFR signaling and its contribution to neurological disease remains to be elaborated.

In the past, compelling studies demonstrated that FGFs and FGFRs are critical regulators of neurogenesis, neural differentiation, and cortical patterning in embryonic development. However, further knowledge is required to understand how FGF–FGFR signaling regulates the establishment and maintenance of brain circuits in the postnatal stage and in adulthood. The differential expression levels of FGFs and FGFRs in neurons and stem cells during the embryonic stage correlate with their biological functions during brain development. However, whether the expression of FGFs and FGFRs in different cell types is altered in response to environmental stressors or normal aging and, thereafter, plays a part in the etiology of neurological disorders remains to be examined.  

In this Special Issue, we will collect manuscripts that bridge the gaps mentioned earlier, which will provide valuable insights for the scientific community. Original research articles, timely reviews, and short communications are welcome.

Dr. Jui-Yen Huang
Dr. Chia Shan Wu
Dr. Kwang Mook Jung
Guest Editors

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• FGF
• FGFR
• central nervous system
• cortical development
• dendritogenesis
• synaptogenesis
• axonal pathfinding
• behavior
• stress
• brain wiring