Towards Understanding the Functional Connectivity of the Locus Coeruleus
A special issue of Brain Sciences (ISSN 2076-3425). This special issue belongs to the section "Systems Neuroscience".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 May 2022) | Viewed by 48127
Special Issue Editor
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
The discovery of modulatory neurotransmitters several decades ago originated unprecedented research in all fields of neuroscience. Accumulated fundamental knowledge established the essential role of neuromodulatory systems in many brain functions from visceral regulation to higher-order cognitive processing. The research on neuromodulation has rapidly gained significant translational value as it became evident that neuromodulatory disbalance underlies many neuropsychiatric disorders. The phylogenetically conserved and seemingly simply organized subcortical neuromodulatory nuclei evolved together with the forebrain regions. We face an urgent need for better understanding the principles of differentiated neuromodulation within diverse neural networks.
This Special Issue will focus on the locus coeruleus (LC), a core of the brain noradrenergic system. New experimental tools have permitted uncovering the complexity of the organization and function of this small brain stem nucleus. The phylogenetic and developmental origin of the functional connectivity of the noradrenergic pathways remains to be further explored. Identifying the distinct subpopulations of LC neurons that regulate specific cognitive processes will advance the search for more efficient correction of pathological brain states.
The scope of this Special Issue encompasses basic and applied research. This Special Issue aims to elucidate the developmental origin of the LC neuron diversity, identify cell-specific markers, and the role of specific noradrenergic pathways for different aspects of behavior and cognition. Comparative anatomy and functional connectivity studies present the highest priority.
We cordially invite you and your colleagues to contribute full research articles or comprehensive review papers for peer review and possible publication in this Special Issue. The submission deadline is 15 October 2021. Papers may be submitted at any time until the deadline and published on an ongoing basis. For more information on this Special Issue and submission guidelines, please visit the Special Issue homepage.
Dr. Oxana Eschenko
Guest Editor
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- noradrenaline
- neurodevelopment
- neuromodulation
- functional connectivity
- cell-type diversity
- neurodegeneration
- neuromodulatory disorders