Neurogenesis in the adult human hippocampus

• The genesis of new cells, including neurons, in the adult human brain has not yet been demonstrated. This study was undertaken to investigate whether neurogenesis occurs in the adult human brain, in regions previously identified as neurogenic in adult rodents and monkeys. Human brain tissue was obtained postmortem from patients who had been treated with the thymidine analog, bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU), that labels DNA during the S phase. Using immunofluorescent labeling for BrdU and for one of the neuronal markers, NeuN, calbindin or neuron specific enolase (NSE), we demonstrate that new neurons, as defined by these markers, are generated from dividing progenitor cells in the dentate gyrus of adult humans. Our results further indicate that the human hippocampus retains its ability to generate neurons throughout life.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Cancer och onkologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Cancer and Oncology (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Adult

Animals

Astrocytes/cytology/pathology/physiology

Biological Markers/analysis

Bromodeoxyuridine

Calcium-Binding Protein

Vitamin D-Dependent/analysis

DNA/biosynthesis

Dentate Gyrus/cytology/pathology/*physiology

Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein/analysis

Haplorhini

Hippocampus/cytology/pathology/*physiology

Humans

*Nerve Regeneration

Nerve Tissue Proteins/analysis

Neurons/cytology/pathology/*physiology

Phosphopyruvate Hydratase/analysis

Rodentia

Stem Cells/cytology/pathology/physiology

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)