ERIC Number: EJ1020957
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2013-Dec
Pages: 20
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1072-0502
EISSN: N/A
Adult Neurogenesis in the Mammalian Hippocampus: Why the Dentate Gyrus?
Drew, Liam J.; Fusi, Stefano; Hen, René
Learning & Memory, v20 n12 p710-729 Dec 2013
In the adult mammalian brain, newly generated neurons are continuously incorporated into two networks: interneurons born in the subventricular zone migrate to the olfactory bulb, whereas the dentate gyrus (DG) of the hippocampus integrates locally born principal neurons. That the rest of the mammalian brain loses significant neurogenic capacity after the perinatal period suggests that unique aspects of the structure and function of DG and olfactory bulb circuits allow them to benefit from the adult generation of neurons. In this review, we consider the distinctive features of the DG that may account for it being able to profit from this singular form of neural plasticity. Approaches to the problem of neurogenesis are grouped as "bottom-up," where the phenotype of adult-born granule cells is contrasted to that of mature developmentally born granule cells, and "top-down," where the impact of altering the amount of neurogenesis on behavior is examined. We end by considering the primary implications of these two approaches and future directions.
Descriptors: Brain Hemisphere Functions, Adults, Neurological Organization, Olfactory Perception, Neurology, Animals
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press. 500 Sunnyside Boulevard, Woodbury, NY 11797-2924. Tel: 800-843-4388; Tel: 516-367-8800; Fax: 516-422-4097; e-mail: cshpres@cshl.edu; Web site: http://www.learnmem.org/
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A