Editorial: mTOR pathway malfunctions in neurodevelopmental disorders.

The Mechanistic Target of Rapamycin (mTOR) pathway integrates a variety of intracellular and extracellular signaling and coordinates many essential cellular processes, including protein synthesis and autophagy. During the neurodevelopment, mTOR acts as one of the main directors controlling the differentiation and proliferation of neural progenitor cells, neuronal morphology and migration, and synaptic plasticity (Costa-Mattioli and Monteggia 2013). Malfunctions of mTOR signaling have been implicated across the continuum of neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders (Nguyen and Bordey 2021). mTORopathies such as tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) and focal cortical dysplasia (FCD), are characterized by hyperactivation of mTOR signaling, malformation of cortical development, and disruptions of neural circuits and brain network leading to intractable epilepsy and cognition and behavior deficits (Crino 2015). During last decades, extensive efforts on the mechanism studies have improved our understandings of the precise roles of mTOR involved in neurodevelopment and associated neurological disorders, and have promote the development of targeted therapies. In summary, the present Research Topic comprises original research and comprehensive reviews highlighting the role of mTOR signaling in neurodevelopment disorders. We hope that this topic will inspire further mechanism exploration of mTOR with the aim of fully restoring function to those neurological disorders.