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Updated: Jun 3, 2026

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Cortical Neurogenesis: Transitioning from Advances in the Laboratory to Cell-Based Therapies
Published on: July 19, 2007
Neurotransmitters couple brain activity to subventricular zone neurogenesis
Stephanie Z Young1, M Morgan Taylor, Angélique Bordey
1Department of Neurosurgery, Yale University School of Medicine, 333 Cedar Street, FMB 422, New Haven, CT 06520-8082, USA.
The European Journal of Neuroscience
|March 15, 2011
Summary
Neurogenesis in the adult brain
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Adult neurogenesis, the birth of new neurons, occurs in specific brain regions.
- The subventricular zone (SVZ) is a key site for this process.
- Factors influencing SVZ neurogenesis are complex and interconnected.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the influence of brain activity and bodily states on SVZ neurogenesis.
- To explore the roles of neuromodulators and neurotransmitters in SVZ cell proliferation.
- To discuss the impact of diseases and physiological conditions on SVZ neurogenesis.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on adult neurogenesis.
- Analysis of research on neuromodulatory and neurotransmitter systems.
- Examination of evidence linking diseases and bodily states to SVZ activity.
Main Results:
- Neuromodulators like dopamine and serotonin impact SVZ neurogenesis via long-range projections.
- Local GABA and glutamate signaling affect SVZ proliferation, with external sources under investigation.
- Conditions such as Alzheimer's disease, seizures, sleep, and pregnancy influence SVZ cell proliferation.
Conclusions:
- SVZ neurogenesis is modulated by diverse external factors, including neurotransmitters and physiological states.
- Understanding these complex interactions is crucial for developing effective cell therapies and treatments.
- Future research should consider the overlapping effects of multiple neurotransmitter systems on neurogenesis.
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