Editorial: Perineuronal Nets as Therapeutic Targets for the Treatment of Neuropsychiatric Disorders

Dysregulated synaptic plasticity and excitatory inhibitory (E/I) imbalance are molecular hallmarks of multiple neuropsychiatric disorders. Perineuronal nets (PNNs) are condensed portions of the extracellular matrix (ECM) that stabilize homeostatic synaptic plasticity, facilitate neuronal-glia communication, and provide a physical barrier protecting neurons from toxic molecules within the ECM (Carulli et al.; Wingert and Sorg). Pathological alterations in PNNs have been reported across several neuropsychiatric conditions including, but not limited to, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), multiple sclerosis (MS), epilepsy, substance use disorders (SUDs), and schizophrenia. Thus, targeting the restoration of normal PNN function has emerged as a potential avenue for the development of therapeutics for the remediation of several diseases/disorders.