title: The role of taurine in improving neural stem cells proliferation and differentiation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Taurine is one of the most abundant amino acids in the central nervous system and has important functions in the promotion of brain development. This study aimed to determine the mechanistic role of taurine in improving neuronal proliferation, stem cell proliferation, and neural differentiation.
  
  
  METHODS
  The data for this review were primarily retrieved from the PubMed database from 1985 to 2015 in English. The search string included the keywords taurine, brain development, neuronal, stem cell, proliferation, differentiation, and others. Relevant publications were identified, retrieved, and reviewed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  This review introduces the source, function, and mechanisms of taurine in brain development and provides additional detail regarding the mechanistic role of taurine in improving neuronal proliferation, stem cell proliferation, and neural differentiation. Many studies concerning these aspects are discussed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Taurine plays an important role in brain development, including neuronal proliferation, stem cell proliferation, and differentiation, via several mechanisms. Taurine can be directly used in clinical applications to improve brain development because it has no toxic effects on humans.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Neonatology & NICU of Bayi Children's Hospital , the Army General Hospital of the Chinese PLA , Beijing 100700 , China.|b Graduate School of the Liaoning Medical College , Jinzhou City 121001 , Liaoning province , China.
authors.forename: Xiang-Wen
authors.initials: XW
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: c Department of Scientific Research , the Army General Hospital of the Chinese PLA , Beijing 100700 , China.
authors.forename: Hong-Yan
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.affiliation: a Department of Neonatology & NICU of Bayi Children's Hospital , the Army General Hospital of the Chinese PLA , Beijing 100700 , China.
authors.forename: Jing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Liu
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects*; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D006801:Humans; D023421:Models, Animal; D058953:Neural Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects*; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects; D000066829:Neuroprotection / Q000187:drug effects; D013654:Taurine / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D013654:Taurine
keywords: Animal models; CNS development and aging