Mini review: The relationship between energy status and adult hippocampal neurogenesis

The ability to generate new hippocampal neurons throughout adulthood and successfully integrate them into existing neural networks is critical to cognitive function, while disordered regulation of this process results in neurodegenerative or psychiatric disease. Consequently, identifying the molecular mechanisms promoting homeostatic hippocampal neurogenesis in adults is essential to understanding the etiologies of these disorders and developing therapeutic interventions. For example, recent evidence identifies a strong association between metabolic function and adult hippocampal neurogenesis. Hippocampal neural stem cell (NSC) fate dynamically fluctuates with changes in substrate availability and energy status (AMP/ATP and NAD⁺/NADH ratios). Furthermore, many metabolic hormones, such as insulin, insulin-like growth factors, and leptin exhibit dual functions also modulating hippocampal neurogenesis and neuron survivability. These diverse metabolic inputs to NSC's from various tissues seemingly suggest the existence of a system in which energy status can finely modulate hippocampal neurogenesis. Supporting this hypothesis, interventions promoting energy balance, such as caloric restriction, intermittent fasting, and exercise, have shown encouraging potential enhancing hippocampal neurogenesis and cognitive function. Overall, there is a clear relationship between whole body energy status, adult hippocampal neurogenesis, and neuron survival; however, the molecular mechanisms underlying this phenomenon are multifaceted. Thus, the aim of this review is to analyze the literature investigating energy status-mediated regulation of adult neurogenesis in the hippocampus, highlight the neurocircuitry and intracellular signaling involved, and propose impactful future directions in the field.