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Updated: May 24, 2026

Use of Synaptic Zinc Histochemistry to Reveal Different Regions and Laminae in the Developing and Adult Brain
Published on: October 29, 2017
Zinc and neurogenesis: making new neurons from development to adulthood
Cathy W Levenson1, Deborah Morris
1Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306-4300, USA. cathy.levenson@med.fsu.edu.
Abstract:
Stem cell proliferation, neuronal differentiation, cell survival, and migration in the central nervous system are all important steps in the normal process of neurogenesis. These mechanisms are highly active during gestational and early neonatal brain development. Additionally, in select regions of the brain, stem cells give rise to new neurons throughout the human lifespan. Recent work has revealed key roles for the essential trace element zinc in the control of both developmental and adult neurogenesis. Given the prevalence of zinc deficiency, these findings have implications for brain development, cognition, and the regulation of mood.
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