title: New neurons for 'survival of the fittest'.
abstract: Adult neurogenesis is often considered an archaic trait that has undergone a 'phylogenetic reduction' from amphibian ancestors to humans. However, adult neurogenesis in the hippocampal dentate gyrus might actually be a late-evolved trait. In non-mammals, adult hippocampal neurogenesis is not restricted to the equivalents of the dentate gyrus, which also show different connectivity and functionality compared to their mammalian counterpart. Moving actively in a changing world and dealing with novelty and complexity regulate adult neurogenesis. New neurons might thus provide the cognitive adaptability to conquer ecological niches rich with challenging stimuli.
authors.affiliation: Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden and the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Fetscherstraße 105, 01307 Dresden, Germany. gerd.kempermann@crt-dresden.de
authors.forename: Gerd
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kempermann
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000502:physiology; D018891:Dentate Gyrus / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D009415:Nerve Net / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D055495:Neurogenesis / Q000502:physiology*; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology*