A special issue on epilepsy research titled Neural circuit mechanisms in epilepsy and targeted therapeutics, co-edited by Prof. Chen Zhong and Research Fellow Wang Yi from ZCMU, in collaboration with Prof. Massimo Avoli from McGill University/Montreal Neurological Institute, was published in the esteemed neuroscience journal Neurobiology of Disease. This journal is recognized as a top-tier publication in the field of neuroscience, ranking in the Q1 category by the Chinese Academy of Sciences Medicine. The special issue comprises 18 recent review articles focusing on epilepsy pathogenesis and therapeutic strategies. Esteemed scholars from prestigious institutions in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, and others were invited to contribute to this comprehensive collection.

（Special Issue Theme: Neural circuit mechanisms in epilepsy and targeted therapeutics）

（Preface to the Special Issue）

The articles featured in this special issue revolve around the theme of Neural circuit mechanisms in epilepsy and targeted therapeutics. They offer diverse perspectives on the roles played by key brain regions, circuits, and localized microcircuits in different types of epilepsy concerning seizure initiation and propagation. Additionally, the articles delve into therapeutic strategies aimed at targeting epileptic circuits, thereby providing an updated understanding of seizure mechanisms and therapeutic approaches. Notably, Prof. Chen Zhong, as the corresponding author, contributed an article titled Diverse nature of interictal oscillations: EEG-based biomarkers in epilepsy, which extensively discusses the utility of interictal discharges as biomarkers in epilepsy. Furthermore, Research Fellow Wang Yi, serving as the corresponding author (with Li Zhongxia, a master’s degree student from ZCMU as the first author), presented Non-invasive sensory neuromodulation in epilepsy: updates and future perspectives. This article provides a detailed overview of the progress and potential future directions in non-invasive sensory neuromodulation for epilepsy treatment.

（Distinguished Foreign Experts Who Contributed to the Special Issue）

The completion of this special issue spanned 17 months, from the initial identification of the topic’s scope with the editorial office, through the selection of experts, content communication, expert contributions, external peer review, to the final manuscript preparation for online publication. The successful conclusion of this initiative offers updated insights into recent research progress on the topic of “neural circuits in epilepsy”. It promises to provide valuable references for the precise intervention and treatment of epilepsy, a significant neurological disorder. Importantly, this accomplishment also underscores the international influence of Prof. Chen Zhong’s team in the field of epilepsy research.