Insult-induced aberrant hippocampal neurogenesis: Functional consequences and possible therapeutic strategies

Behav Brain Res. 2019 Oct 17:372:112032. doi: 10.1016/j.bbr.2019.112032. Epub 2019 Jun 12.

Abstract

Adult hippocampal neurogenesis plays a critical role in a wide spectrum of hippocampus-dependent functions. Brain pathologies that involve the hippocampus like epilepsy, stroke, and traumatic brain injury, are commonly associated with cognitive impairments and mood disorders. These insults can affect neural stem cells and the subsequent neurogenic cascade in the hippocampus, resulting in the induction of aberrant neurogenesis, which is thought to compromise hippocampal network function, thereby hampering hippocampus-dependent behavior. We here summarize recent preclinical literature on hippocampal insult-induced changes in neurogenesis and based on that, we propose that normalizing aberrant neurogenesis post-insult may help to prevent or rescue behavioral deficits which could help develop novel therapeutic strategies.

Keywords: Epilepsy; Hippocampus; Neural stem cells; Neurogenesis; Stroke; Traumatic brain injury.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Brain Injuries, Traumatic / physiopathology
  • Cognition Disorders / physiopathology
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Epilepsy / physiopathology
  • Hippocampus / metabolism*
  • Hippocampus / pathology
  • Humans
  • Mood Disorders / physiopathology
  • Neural Stem Cells / pathology
  • Neurogenesis / physiology*
  • Neurons / metabolism*
  • Neurons / pathology
  • Stroke / physiopathology