A Molecular Window into the Brain: Special Issue on Molecules and the Brain

Abstract

Unlocking the mysteries of the brain has long fascinated scientists and nonscientists alike. Fundamental questions of how memories are stored, of how the brain processes emotion, and of what constitutes consciousness continue to captivate and challenge neuroscientists. With the recent emergence of new technologies for studying and manipulating molecules, cells, and circuits, biological chemists have become increasingly empowered to explore the intricacies and complexities of the brain. This special issue on Molecules and the Brain will explore the exciting field of molecular and chemical neuroscience. Research in this field strives to understand the brain at its most fundamental level through the study of molecules that underlie sensory perception, memory formation, neuroplasticity, and behavior. In this issue, we will consider the influence of molecules and structures spanning sizes ranging from single atoms to membrane receptors to the large protein-rich compartment known as the postsynaptic density.

Additional details