Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Gabriel Berdugo-Vega, Shonali Dhingra, Federico Calegari
Summary: This article reviews a wealth of research in cellular, anatomical, behavioral, and computational studies on the mammalian hippocampus, aiming to understand the fundamental mechanisms underlying cognition. Despite accumulating knowledge on how the hippocampus processes and stores information for learning and memory, our understanding of hippocampal cognitive function remains incomplete. The article discusses the structural separability of the two blades of the dentate gyrus in the hippocampus and proposes a model that suggests differences in connectivity and adult neurogenesis in the two blades may contribute to subtly different cognitive functions.
Review
Neurosciences
Jesse D. Cushman, Michael R. Drew, Franklin B. Krasne
Summary: The primary function of juvenile and adult hippocampal neurogenesis appears to be allowing behavioral experience to shape connectivity in the dentate gyrus and optimize hippocampal circuits for future learning. This environmental sculpting reduces overlap among memory representations, provides more information, and allows for more memories to be stored accurately. The decline of neurogenesis prior to adulthood may be explained by this prospective function of sculpting hippocampal circuits.
PROGRESS IN NEUROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Cell Biology
Luka Culig, Xixia Chu, Vilhelm A. Bohr
Summary: Adult neurogenesis is a potential target for extending cognitive healthspan, as aging is a major risk factor for neurodegenerative diseases. This review describes the role of adult neurogenesis in neurodegenerative diseases and discusses the molecular mechanisms involving key proteins. Interventions that increase neurogenesis and regulate aging research targets are summarized, and the outlook for restoring neurogenesis levels in elderly individuals and those with neurodegeneration is shared.
AGEING RESEARCH REVIEWS
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Sarah E. Latchney, Brayan R. Ruiz Lopez, Paige D. Womble, Katherine J. Blandin, Joaquin N. Lugo
Summary: This study provides a comprehensive understanding of how conditional deletion of Pten regulates the genesis of adult neural stem/progenitor cells in the dentate gyrus and subventricular zone. The results demonstrate that Pten deletion leads to successive increases in cell proliferation and immaturity, with the increase spreading to non-neurogenic areas as mice age. The study also reveals region-specific increases in apoptotic cells that parallel the increases in proliferating cells.
FRONTIERS IN MOLECULAR NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Nanami Kasakura, Yuka Murata, Asuka Shindo, Shiho Kitaoka, Tomoyuki Furuyashiki, Kanzo Suzuki, Eri Segi-Nishida
Summary: The dentate gyrus of the hippocampus plays a regulatory role in stress-related emotional behaviors and neurogenesis. NT-3 is expressed in the adult dentate gyrus and is enhanced under chronic stress conditions in rodents. However, the functional modulation of the dentate gyrus by NT-3 signaling is still unclear.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Lyles R. Clark, Sanghee Yun, Nana K. Acquah, Priya L. Kumar, Hannah E. Metheny, Rikley C. C. Paixao, Akivas S. Cohen, Amelia J. Eisch
Summary: This study discusses the impact of mild traumatic brain injuries (mTBIs) on the process of adult hippocampal DG neurogenesis. The results show that mTBI induces transient increases in neurogenesis in the ipsilateral hippocampal region, but not in the contralateral hemisphere. These findings are important for understanding the functional implications of TBI-induced neurogenesis and potential neuron replacement or repair after TBI.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Joshua D. Rieskamp, Patricia Sarchet, Bryon M. Smith, Elizabeth D. Kirby
Summary: The study estimated the cell density of neural stem/progenitor cells in the dentate gyrus of adult mice using immunohistochemical methods and found that they had similar density as other cell types with secretory functions. These findings contribute to refining hypotheses about the roles of these cell types in regulating hippocampal function and their potential therapeutic uses.
NEURAL REGENERATION RESEARCH
(2022)
Review
Neurosciences
Chuanqi Liu, Jiayin Liu, Hong Gong, Tianyao Liu, Xin Li, Xiaotang Fan
Summary: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by atypical social communication and repetitive sensory-motor behaviors. Emerging evidence suggests that deficits in hippocampal neurogenesis may play a significant role in the abnormal behaviors observed in ASD. This review summarizes pre-clinical and clinical studies supporting the importance of hippocampal neurogenesis in the pathogenesis of ASD, discusses the potential of enhancing hippocampal neurogenesis as a new therapeutic strategy for ASD, and highlights the prospects of pro-neurogenic therapies for ASD.
CURRENT NEUROPHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Julie Faitg, Clay Lacefield, Tracey Davey, Kathryn White, Ross Laws, Stylianos Kosmidis, Amy K. Reeve, Eric R. Kandel, Amy E. Vincent, Martin Picard
Summary: This study used quantitative three-dimensional electron microscopy to map mitochondrial network morphology and complexity in the mouse brain. Differences in mitochondrial morphology across different cell types and ages were identified, providing a foundation for further research on the role of neuronal mitochondria in the aging brain.
Article
Neurosciences
Sara Bottes, Baptiste N. Jaeger, Gregor-Alexander Pilz, David J. Jorg, John Darby Cole, Merit Kruse, Lachlan Harris, Vladislav Korobeynyk, Izaskun Mallona, Fritjof Helmchen, Francois Guillemot, Benjamin D. Simons, Sebastian Jessberger
Summary: Researchers identified long-term self-renewing neural stem cells (NSCs) in the adult mouse hippocampus using intravital imaging and single-cell RNA sequencing. They found that Gli1-targeted NSCs exhibit long-term self-renewal, while Ascl1-targeted NSCs have limited proliferative activity before exhaustion. The study revealed the existence of heterogeneous NSC populations with diverse behavioral properties in contributing to neurogenesis in the adult hippocampus.
NATURE NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Review
Behavioral Sciences
Maedeh Ghasemi, Mojdeh Navidhamidi, Fatemeh Rezaei, Armin Azizikia, Nasrin Mehranfard
Summary: Anxiety is associated with increased neuronal excitability in the hippocampus and alterations in local regulation may underlie certain anxiety disorders. Anxiolytics can treat anxiety by altering hippocampal excitability and plasticity. Identifying the mechanisms and circuits that regulate hippocampal excitability in anxiety may lead to targeted interventions for treatment-resistant cases of anxiety disorders.
COGNITIVE AFFECTIVE & BEHAVIORAL NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Psychiatry
Hu Meng, Qiongwei Li, Jinxin Wang, Weihua Yue, Dai Zhang, Xiaoxuan Sun, Lifang Wang, Jun Li
Summary: Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by impaired social interaction and communication. This study aimed to improve the social deficit in a mouse model by increasing neurogenesis in the hippocampus. Three approaches were used: repeated oxytocin administration, enriched environment, and overexpression of Cdk4-CyclinD1 complex in neural stem cells. Results showed increased proliferation of neural stem cells and newborn neurons, as well as significant improvement in social recognition deficit. These findings provide new insight into the treatment of autism.
FRONTIERS IN PSYCHIATRY
(2023)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Heather Bondi, Valeria Bortolotto, Pier Luigi Canonico, Mariagrazia Grilli
Summary: This study found that astrocytes in the hippocampus and entorhinal cortex of middle-aged mice have different responses to aging. Astrocytes in the dorsal DG showed a significant increase in morphological complexity, while astrocytes in the ventral DG and entorhinal cortex underwent remarkable changes. These findings suggest a new level of complexity in structural changes associated with brain aging.
NEUROBIOLOGY OF AGING
(2021)
Review
Clinical Neurology
Sarah Houben, Megane Homa, Zehra Yilmaz, Karelle Leroy, Jean-Pierre Brion, Kunie Ando
Summary: AHN plays a critical role in sustaining hippocampal functions such as learning and memory, and impaired AHN in AD patients may contribute to cognitive deficits. NFTs and amyloid plaques are key neuropathological hallmarks of AD, with abnormal tau protein accumulation impacting AHN. Further research is needed to fully understand the relationship between tau pathology and AHN.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Shawn F. Sorrells, Mercedes F. Paredes, Zhuangzhi Zhang, Gugene Kang, Oier Pastor-Alonso, Sean Biagiotti, Chloe E. Page, Kadellyn Sandoval, Anthony Knox, Andrew Connolly, Eric J. Huang, Jose Manuel Garcia-Verdugo, Michael C. Oldham, Zhengang Yang, Arturo Alvarez-Buylla
Summary: Adult hippocampal neurogenesis was initially discovered in rodents, with subsequent studies identifying adult neural stem cells and their links to plasticity, behavior, and disease. The debate continues as to whether new neurons are produced in the human dentate gyrus during healthy aging. Recent research has shown conflicting results regarding the presence of dividing neuronal precursors in the adult human brain.
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)