Adult Hippocampal Neurogenesis Of Mammals: Evolution And Life History

Main Category: Biology / Biochemistry
Also Included In: Veterinary
Article Date: 29 Oct 2008 - 4:00 PDT

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The discovery that new neurons are born in the adult mammalian brain has raised hopes that selective stimulation of the formation of new neurons, i.e. neurogenesis, might improve cognitive abilities in disabled or healthy humans.

Although neurogenesis has been studied extensively in laboratory rodents, a clearly defined functional role for the newly born cells has not yet been found.

We emphasize here that comparative investigations, including other mammalian species, would greatly help us to understand the significance of newborn cells in normal brain function and the possibilities to develop therapeutic tools based on adult neurogenesis.

Royal Society Journal Biology Letters

Biology Letters publishes short, innovative and cutting-edge research articles and opinion pieces accessible to scientists from across the biological sciences. The journal is characterised by stringent peer-review, rapid publication and broad dissemination of succinct high-quality research communications.

www.publishing.royalsociety.org/biologyletters

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