Adult neurogenesis and hippocampal memory function: new cells, more plasticity, new memories?
The discovery of active adult neurogenesis in mammals, a process of generating functional neurons from neural stem cells, suggests that the adult brain is more dynamic than once imagined. The coincidence of this phenomenon occurring in the hippocampus, a region critical to the learning process, begs the question of whether adult neurogenesis is involved in memory formation. Here, the authors review rapidly accumulating evidence showing a strong correlation between certain types of memory functions and adult neurogenesis in the hippocampus. Establishment of the potential link between memory formation and adult neurogenesis is instrumental, at a basic science level, to understand the function of neural networks and is essential, at a clinical level, to develop effective therapies for various cognitive dysfunctions.
Kitabatake
Yasuji
Y
Institute for Cell Engineering, Departments of Neurology and Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 733 North Broadway, BRB 706, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
Sailor
Kurt A
KA
Ming
Guo-li
GL
Song
Hongjun
H
D053687:Adult Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D002455:Cell Division / Q000502:physiology; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning / Q000502:physiology; D008568:Memory / Q000502:physiology*; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000502:physiology*