Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hEDS) and hypermobility spectrum disorders (HSD) are common yet underrecognized connective tissue disorders characterized by joint hypermobility and multi-organ system involvement. Current diagnostic criteria inadequately capture the clinical heterogeneity of hEDS/HSD. Consequently, patients often face diagnostic delays and fragmented care, which exacerbate underlying comorbidities such as chronic pain and psychological distress. This narrative review explores the key limitations of existing diagnostic criteria, the burden of underrecognized comorbidities, and systemic barriers to health care access. We then propose actionable recommendations for clinicians, professional societies, educators, and researchers to standardize diagnostic practices, expand education and training, and invest in multi-site patient registries and large-scale genetic studies. Coordinated action is needed to build evidence-based, patient-centered care systems that recognize and address the full complexity of hEDS and HSD.

The sea anemone, Nematostella vectensis, has been used as a model organism in developmental biology studies for many years. This estuarine species has the notable capacity to regenerate its full body plan from small pieces throughout life. Nematostella have been described as having a great degree of cellular plasticity. The recent sequencing of the Nematostella genome and the development of transgenesis technology have stimulated greater interest in this species, emerging as a versatile model bridging molecular genetics, evolutionary development, regeneration, and environmental biology. Its genomic accessibility, robust regenerative abilities, and basal phylogenetic position make it uniquely suited for addressing fundamental questions about animal evolution, development, and adaptation to a changing world. Here, we provide an overview of the Nematostella life cycle, paired with a historical overview of the main areas of biological research Nematostella have traditionally used for and a perspective on how Nematostella may be useful for future biomedical research.

The olfactory placode (OP) generates a broad array of chemosensory neurons in the nasal region, including olfactory sensory neurons, vomeronasal sensory neurons, neurons of the septal organ, and Grueneberg ganglion. During invagination, the OP also generates migratory neuronal populations, including gonadotropin-releasing hormone-1 (GnRH-1) neurons, somatostatin-expressing neurons, and Prokineticin Receptor 2 (Prokr2) pioneer/terminal nerve (TN) neurons. Despite extensive research, the genetic lineage and molecular identity of many OP-derived neurons remain unclear. GnRH-1 neurons are vital for reproductive functions and chemosensory processing but are genetically distinct from olfactory and vomeronasal sensory neurons. The regulator Goofy/Gfy is expressed in placode-derived chemosensory neurons. Our study aimed to determine whether its expression is restricted to these neurons or shared among OP derivatives. The 123Cre mouse expresses Cre under the Gfy1 promoter. Cre tracing analyses across embryonic stages showed widespread 123Cre recombination in chemosensory neurons but not in migrating GnRH-1. However, at late development and postnatal stages, some Gfy-traced cells appear in the basal forebrain, including a subset of GnRH-positive neurons. These findings demonstrate heterogeneity among migratory nasal neurons and suggest that, besides GnRH-1, other nasal-origin neurons also populate the forebrain. Postnatal studies of vomeronasal neurons revealed distinct developmental trajectories for the two main VSN subtypes.