Nutraceuticals in Neurodevelopmental Disorders: From Biological Pathways to Personalized Interventions

Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs), including autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), intellectual disability, and related conditions, are highly heterogeneous and arise from complex interactions between genetic susceptibility, environmental exposures, immune-metabolic pathways, and critical windows of development. Despite increasing understanding of these mechanisms, available interventions remain largely empirical, highlighting the need for biologically informed strategies that can reliably improve outcomes.Nutraceuticals, defined as biologically active compounds derived from food sources, have gained increasing attention as potential modulators of neurodevelopmental processes. Research has investigated a broad range of compounds, including micronutrients, polyunsaturated fatty acids, probiotics, and antioxidant molecules, yet findings are often inconsistent due to heterogeneity in study design, outcome measures, and translational frameworks. Evidence suggests that nutraceuticals may influence biological mechanisms relevant to NDDs, such as neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, mitochondrial and metabolic function, epigenetic regulation, synaptic plasticity, and gut-brain axis signaling. These mechanisms are developmentally dynamic and may contribute to symptom variability and differential treatment response across individuals and conditions. Although widely used in clinical practice, their efficacy and safety in NDD populations are still insufficiently supported by rigorous data, emphasizing the need for well-designed, mechanism-driven studies.This Research Topic aims to critically examine the role of nutraceuticals in neurodevelopmental disorders, focusing on biological mechanisms, clinical evidence, and translational applications. Contributions are encouraged to critically evaluate the efficacy, safety, and limitations of nutraceutical interventions in neurodevelopmental disorders, considering symptom heterogeneity, comorbidities, and developmental stage.A specific emphasis is placed on precision and personalized approaches, including the identification of clinical, biological, and sensory-behavioral profiles that may predict differential responses to nutraceuticals. The Research Topic also aims to clarify the role of nutraceuticals as adjunctive interventions within integrated, multidisciplinary care models, rather than as standalone treatments.Overall, this Research Topic intends to provide clinicians and researchers with a balanced, evidence-based framework to guide future research and responsible clinical application of nutraceuticals in neurodevelopmental disorders.This Research Topic welcomes high-quality submissions in the following formats:• Original research articles – mechanistic, preclinical, or clinical studies investigating nutraceutical interventions in neurodevelopmental disorders, including biomarker-driven stratification or personalized approaches.• Systematic reviews, narrative reviews, and meta-analyses – critically evaluating efficacy, safety, or mechanistic evidence of nutraceuticals.• Short communications or research letters – reporting preliminary findings, innovative methodologies, or novel translational insights.• Perspectives, commentaries, or opinion articles – discussing conceptual frameworks, methodological challenges, or future directions in the field.All submissions should provide a rigorous, evidence-based approach, clearly addressing biological mechanisms, clinical implications, or translational relevance. Topic editors: Francesca Cucinotta, Giulia Spoto, Rosamaria Siracusano, Laura Turriziani Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/80264/nutraceuticals-in-neurodevelopmental-disorders-from-biological-pathways-to-personalized-interventions