Boosting Neurogenesis as a Strategy in Treating Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD) causes progressive cognitive decline and neuronal loss, partly due to the buildup of amyloid-β (Aβ) plaques and tau tangles. Despite years of research, treatments targeting these hallmark pathologies have yielded only modest clinical success, prompting interest in regenerative approaches to restore the brain's ability to repair itself. One such approach focuses on adult hippocampal neurogenesis, the process by which neural stem cells (NSCs) produce new neurons throughout life. In AD, this process is impaired, worsening cognitive deficits. In this review, we examine the molecular pathways that control adult neurogenesis, including transcriptional, epigenetic, inflammatory, and metabolic mechanisms, and how they become dysregulated in AD. We also highlight various therapeutic strategies aimed at boosting neurogenesis, such as pharmacological treatments, stem cell therapy, gene therapy, and epigenetic modulation. Preclinical studies indicate that enhancing neurogenesis can improve cognition and reduce brain pathology in AD models. Several of these treatments are now being tested in clinical trials. Ultimately, promoting neurogenesis may offer a promising avenue to complement current AD therapies and help restore lost neural function.