Collection 

Cortical-subcortical brain loops

Submission status
Open
Submission deadline

Diverse sensory and cognitive functions rely on complex and dynamic neural interactions between cortical and subcortical brain areas to coordinate incoming inputs and feedback processes, creating cortical-subcortical loops. Although these neural networks are believed to support the ability of the mammalian brains to produce adequate behavioral responses in changing environments, their investigation has been limited by technological constraints. Thanks to the recent development of novel genetic tools and technical advances in high density electrophysiology and brain-wide imaging, scientists can now visualize and manipulate the activity of both cortical and subcortical projections, offering novel research perspectives on sensory processing, perception and cognition.

In this Collection, the editors at Communications Biology, Nature Neuroscience, Nature Communications and Scientific Reports welcome original research Articles presenting novel insights into structural and functional cortical-subcortical interactions across sensory modalities and cognitive functions, in humans and animal models, under physiological or pathological conditions. This call for papers includes but is not limited to studies presenting novel cortical-subcortical circuit mechanisms underlying adaptive sensing, perception, attention, decision-making, learning & memory, and language. We also encourage submissions that showcase novel innovative tools and computational models to explore the biology of cortical-subcortical brain loops.

To submit, see the participating journals
Multi-coloured brain waves on black background

Editors

This Collection is open for submissions from all authors – and not by invitation only – on the condition that the manuscripts fall within the scope of the Collection and the participating journals more generally.

All manuscripts will be considered for publication according to the editorial policies of the specific participating journal through which they are submitted. Visit Nature portfolio’s Collections guidelines for more details.

When submitting your manuscript to a participating journal via our online submission system, please choose the appropriate Collection title from the drop-down menu on the submission form. Please be sure to express your interest in the Collection in your cover letter. Please only submit to one journal, but note that authors have the option to transfer to another participating journal following the editors’ recommendation.

This Collection has not been supported by sponsorship.