Summary
Birth of new neurons in adult brain regions such as the hippocampal dentate gyrus.
In depth
Adult neurogenesis occurs in the subgranular zone of the dentate gyrus and subventricular zone in rodents; evidence in adult humans is debated. Exercise and enrichment increase it, while stress decreases it.
Adult-born neurons may contribute to pattern separation. Antidepressants and exercise may increase it. Evidence in adult humans remains disputed.
Example: stress reduces hippocampal neurogenesis in rodents.
Frequently asked questions
What is Neurogenesis?
Birth of new neurons in adult brain regions such as the hippocampal dentate gyrus.
Which area of biology covers Neurogenesis, and how advanced is it?
Neurogenesis is one of the 54 topics in Neuroscience. It is rated Advanced, so it suits learners who want specialist depth. Related topics in this area include Visual Cortex Processing, Neural Circuits and Oscillations, Neuroinflammation.
Can you give an example of Neurogenesis?
Songbirds add neurons seasonally to learn new songs.
What should I learn before Neurogenesis?
Work through the Beginner topics in Neuroscience first, such as Nervous System, Neuron, Central and Peripheral Nervous Systems, then return to Neurogenesis. Advanced topics assume the Intermediate vocabulary.
What topics are related to Neurogenesis?
The closest topics to Neurogenesis are Visual Cortex Processing, Neural Circuits and Oscillations, Neuroinflammation, Neural Development. Comparing them side by side is a good way to see how the ideas connect.
How can I check that I understand Neurogenesis?
Read the summary and the in-depth section, then use the quick check on the interactive lesson for Neurogenesis. To practise the whole of Neuroscience, use the Neuroscience quiz.
How is Neurogenesis different from Visual Cortex Processing?
Neurogenesis: Birth of new neurons in adult brain regions such as the hippocampal dentate gyrus. Visual Cortex Processing: Hierarchical neurons detect edges, motion and objects, as shown by Hubel and Wiesel. Read both side by side and note what each one explains.
How should I study Neurogenesis step by step?
First, read the summary and write the definition in your own words. Second, read the in-depth section and note any example. Third, compare it with Visual Cortex Processing and explain the difference aloud. Finally, take the Neuroscience quiz and come back to this page for any question you miss.