Growing evidence shows that dendritic spines in the brain are implicated in the transmission and storage of cognition-related information through their functional plasticity as well as through the variety of structural modifications ranging from spine size and shape changes to spine turnover, distribution, and density. Multiple molecular and cellular events coordinate to facilitate plastic changes in dendritic spines, leading in turn to variations in the processing of learning- and memory-related information, which finally impacts the behavioral performance. The complexity of the underlying mechanisms linking spine morphophysiology and cognition-related behavioral performance still leaves more questions than answers and requires additional intensive research in this domain essential not only for understanding neurobiological bases of cognition, but also for the diverse clinical applications.

This special issue will focus on the molecular and cellular mechanisms that underlie spine plasticity and relate to the cognitive performance, with an emphasis on correlative studies. Reviews that summarize the state of knowledge in the field are also welcome. Potential topics include, but are not limited to:

• Dendritic spines: morphology and function
• Molecular basis of spine plasticity
• Plasticity-related changes in spines and synapses
• Synaptogenesis and formation of neuronal circuits
• Hormones and dendritic spine plasticity
• Dendritic spines, attention, learning, and memory
• Dendritic spines and cognition: physiology and pathology
• Synaptic plasticity and functional rehabilitation

Before submission authors should carefully read over the journal's Author Guidelines, which are located at http://www.hindawi.com/journals/np/guidelines/. Prospective authors should submit an electronic copy of their complete manuscript through the journal Manuscript Tracking System at http://mts.hindawi.com/ according to the following timetable: