Treating Brain Disorders by Targeting Adult Neural Stem Cells

Endogenous neural stem cells (NSCs) in the adult hippocampus hold promise in treating brain disorders with memory and mood deficits. Adult NSCs confer additional plasticity to the mature brain via continuous generation and addition of newborn neurons with unique properties. Aberrant NSCs and hippocampal neurogenesis contribute to various brain disorders. Developing therapeutic strategies targeting both endogenous NSCs and the NSC niche to treat brain disorders. Adult neurogenesis, a developmental process of generating functionally integrated neurons from neural stem cells, occurs throughout life in the hippocampus of the mammalian brain and highlights the plastic nature of the mature central nervous system. Substantial evidence suggests that new neurons participate in cognitive and affective brain functions and aberrant adult neurogenesis contributes to various brain disorders. Focusing on adult hippocampal neurogenesis, we review recent findings that advance our understanding of the key properties and potential functions of adult neural stem cells. We further discuss the key evidence demonstrating the causal role of aberrant hippocampal neurogenesis and various brain disorders. Finally, we propose strategies aimed at simultaneously correcting stem cells and their niche for treating brain disorders. Adult neurogenesis, a developmental process of generating functionally integrated neurons from neural stem cells, occurs throughout life in the hippocampus of the mammalian brain and highlights the plastic nature of the mature central nervous system. Substantial evidence suggests that new neurons participate in cognitive and affective brain functions and aberrant adult neurogenesis contributes to various brain disorders. Focusing on adult hippocampal neurogenesis, we review recent findings that advance our understanding of the key properties and potential functions of adult neural stem cells. We further discuss the key evidence demonstrating the causal role of aberrant hippocampal neurogenesis and various brain disorders. Finally, we propose strategies aimed at simultaneously correcting stem cells and their niche for treating brain disorders. the process of neural stem cells giving rise to a daughter cell identical to the mother cell and a second cell of a different cell type. the production and secretion of an extracellular mediator by a cell, followed by the binding of that mediator to receptors on the same cell to initiate signal transduction. the ability of the brain to change based on different activities. a technique that uses small novel molecules to activate genetically engineered receptors. a study observing clones derived from single cells. Dlx family genes encode homeodomain transcription factors related to the Drosophila distal-less (Dll) gene. Dlx5/6 genes are specifically expressed by all forebrain GABAergic interneurons during embryonic development. synthesized in neurons, it serves as a neuromodulator by coactivating NMDA receptors, enabling them able to open if they also bind glutamate. DNA molecules that replicate independently of chromosomal DNA will dilute after cell division. collateral branches of the excitatory afferent fibers that excite inhibitory interneurons that in turn inhibit neurons in the forward direction. the chief inhibitory neurotransmitter in the mammalian central nervous system; acts on GABAA or GABAB receptors. the major excitatory neurotransmitter in the mammalian central nervous system; acts on NMDA, kainate, AMPA, or metabotropic glutamate receptors. a major neuroendocrine system that controls reactions to stress and regulates body functions. form GABAergic synapses to inhibit their target neurons. identification of all progeny of a single cell. glutamatergic principal cells with spiny dendrites in the dentate hilus. unmyelinated axons projecting from dentate granule cells that terminate on hilar mossy cells and CA3 region in the hippocampus. a signaling pathway that serves as a central regulator of cell metabolism, growth, proliferation, and survival. rhythmic or repetitive patterns of neural activity in the central nervous system that enable synchronization of neural activity across brain regions. a form of cell-to-cell communication in which a cell produces a signal to induce changes in nearby cells, altering the behavior of those cells. the process of making similar patterns of neural activity more distinct. the process of neural stem cells generating two daughter cells with the same fate.