Involvement of adult neurogenesis in learning & memory

Abstract

Adult hippocampal neurogenesis involves the integration of new neurons born during adulthood into a neural circuit that is already fully mature and operational. These neurons have been implicated in cognition, depression, and anxiety, and related to the symptoms of neurodegenerative diseases and normal aging. However, the specific functions of neurogenesis have not been definitively established. We will review recent developments in the field of adult neurogenesis and hippocampus-dependent learning and memory and the role of the physical and cognitive activity in both. In particular, we will see how the pro-neurogenic effects of physical and cognitive activity affect the newborn neurons differently depending on the age of the newborn neurons and the time course and persistence of the physical and cognitive activity. The mechanisms mediating the pro-cognitive, antidepressant, and anxiolytic effects of this activity in relation to neurogenesis are crucial to assessing the hypothesis that immature neurons may have a number of specific functions in neural plasticity depending on the age and stage of maturation of the newborn cells. Grant sponsor: Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia; grant number BFU2007-60195/BFI.