Editorial: Novel approaches to foster brain plasticity in neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders

Brain plasticity, the capacity of neural circuits to rearrange in response to experience, injury, or internal state, constitutes the foundation of development, learning, and recovery. For individuals with neurodevelopmental conditions and those suffering neurodegenerative disease, harnessing and enhancing plasticity offers not only symptomatic relief but the potential to modify disease trajectories. The Research Topic “Novel Approaches to Foster Brain Plasticity in Neurodevelopmental and Neurodegenerative Disorders” brings together four contributions that span model systems, molecular mechanisms, lifestyle interventions, and translational therapeutics. Collectively, these studies illuminate converging strategies to promote plasticity while also identifying critical gaps that future research must address.