Neurogenesis in neurodegenerative diseases in the adult human brain

Adult human brain neurogenesis is the process of cell division, differentiation, and integration of the new neurons in the brain. The neurons that arise in subventricular zone migrate to the olfactory bulb, while the newly formed neurons in the dentate gyrus migrate locally. In adult neurogenesis starting from neural stem cells, in addition to glial neurons astrocytes and oligodendrocytes are also formed. Neurogenesis is regulated by endogenous and exogenous factors influencing the proliferation potential of progeni tor cells and accelerating the rate of development of the dendritic connections of newly formed neurons.

The slow, initial process of a developing neurodegenerative disease may have a stimulating effect on neurogenesis. Increased levels of pro-inflammatory factors may contribute to the formation of new neurons. A similar hypothesis seems to be confirmed by data in the literature. The importance of proneurogenic effects during inflammation is shown by proteins secreted by active microglia, mainly CD 47 and CD 55 and interleukin 4 and 10. On the other hand, the unfavorable effect of the inflammatory process in the brain is usually associated with chronic disease in it, when stimulated microglia increase the concentration of cytokines that have a negative effect on neurogenesis.

Restoring the balance between dying and emerging neurons is important and offers hope for new therapy directions in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. We note common points that could become the target of further research. Attention should be paid to disorders of the calcium metabolism, so important in signal transduction, the state of mitochondria with enzymes involved in the formation of ATP, and the reduction of inflammation in neurogenic regions.