Abstract
For many decades, the role of androgens in physiology of the central nervous system (CNS) has been the subject of intensive research, since androgens modulate aspects of sexual function, mood, behavioral responses, and sensory information retrieval. Androgen deficiency may contribute to cognitive impairment and neurodegenerative diseases. In this special issue of “Androgens and Central Nervous System” that will be published in the journal: Androgens: Clinical Research and Therapeutics under the leadership of Dr. Roberto Melcangi as the guest editor, a unique set of articles authored by world-renown experts summarizing research in animal models and human studies will be reported.
As you might immediately notice that a special emphasis was placed on mechanisms underlying androgens modulation of various critical physiological functions of the CNS and the impact of androgen deficiency on pathophysiology of diseases. The authors eloquently discuss the mechanisms and address the need for advancing research in several novel directions to better understand the critical role of androgens in the brain.
The articles in this special issue encompass detailed discussion of the action of aromatase in the human brain and the physiological role of neuroactive metabolites of testosterone synthesized by the 5α-reductases and 3α/3β hydroxy steroid oxidoreductases. Equally, the effects of testosterone on the brain of trans men and the role of androgens in mitochondria dysfunction and inflammation in traumatic brain injury were addressed.
The role of androgens in regulating gender differences in the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis in stress response and stress-related behaviors was addressed and the effects of testosterone in rodent models and clinical settings on spatial memory were discussed. Finally, this special issue presents several well-written and thought-out articles on the role of androgens on adult neurogenesis in the hippocampus and the impact of androgens on Parkinson's disease, myelination process, and pain.
The past several decades have born witness to considerable advances in clinical research on testosterone deficiency and its treatment and this special issue exemplifies the breadth and depth of ongoing research on the role of androgens in the physiology and pathophysiology of CNS. The publication of this special issue on “Androgens and the Central Nervous System” is a major event for Androgens: Clinical Research and Therapeutics, as it is our first special issue of this type.
The articles in this special issue are rich with information that may be new to many researchers and clinicians and those who do not work in the CNS field. This collection of articles points to the depth and wealth of knowledge that has been accomplished in this area and will serve as valuable resource to all researchers and clinicians with interest in this evolving field.
This is consistent with the mission of the journal to be the “home” for new advances in research on androgens and human health. It is the mission of this young journal Androgens: Clinical Research and Therapeutics to become a hub of knowledge for research on androgens in human physiology and we believe that this first step is the beginning of the journey to march toward such noble goal.
The journal Androgens Clinical Research & Therapeutics was born in May of 2020 to fill an unmet gap, that is to create a repository of knowledge regarding androgen deficiency and its treatment in one resource dedicated to research on androgens available to all researchers and clinicians. We are proud to state that our readership is growing and deeply interested in the content, as reflected by 32,476 full-text downloads between January and September of 2021.
On behalf of the editorial board, we wish to acknowledge the leadership and hard work of Dr. Roberto Melcangi who served as the guest editor for this special issue. It would have been impossible to put together such a collection of a set of unique rich articles on such a complex topic without the foresight and depth of knowledge of the field that Dr. Melcangi possesses. The editorial board and the readership of this journal will be forever grateful for Dr. Melcangi's leadership and his efforts in bringing this special issue to fruition.
This special issue provides a reservoir of knowledge concerning androgens' action in the brain in one source that serves researchers and clinicians, world-wide, with a critical and relevant resource that serves the entire scientific community. No journal can be successful without the commitments and contributions of dedicated scientists and professionals. We wish to convey our utmost gratitude to the authors who contributed to this special issue, to the reviewers who served with professionalism and integrity, and to the guest editor who worked tirelessly to ensure success of this special issue.
The journal: Androgens: Clinical Research and Therapeutics is growing, and we expect that it will have its place among the leading journals that are focused on the role of androgens in human health. The success of this special issue had already promoted undertaking of several other special issues covering key health-related topics, which are currently in progress.