Adult Neurogenesis: Stem Cells and Neuronal Development in the Adult Brain

The adult brain of mammals, including non-human primates and humans, continuously generates new neurons throughout life, contributing to brain function in both health and disease. Since its discovery in 1965, adult neurogenesis has fascinated both scientific and public audiences. Could adult neurogenesis be a fountain of youth in our brains and an untapped resource for neuroregeneration?

While it has been found that adult neurogenesis contributes only minimally to regeneration, the discoveries about new neurons over the past few decades, especially following the identification of neural stem cells in the brain in the 1990s, are even more intriguing. Adult neurogenesis, which is primarily limited to two canonical regions--the subventricular zone and olfactory bulb on one side, and the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus on the other--is regulated by behavioral activity, results in lasting changes in neuronal networks, and critically contributes to key brain functions, particularly in learning and memory. Adult neurogenesis challenges many traditional concepts of brain function.

In this new edition, Dr Kempermann presents cutting-edge research on the generation of new neurons in the adult brain. This comprehensive book delves into the history of the field and provides clear introductions to neural stem cell biology and neuronal development. Adult Neurogenesis Third Edition includes chapters on neurogenesis in the olfactory system and hippocampus and gains insights into the neurogenic zones and their unique properties. The author also examines brain regions with suspected or disputed neurogenic potential. With extensive coverage of the function and regulation of adult neurogenesis, this essential resource includes a section on species comparisons and evolutionary aspects, highlighting adult neurogenesis in humans. Concluding with a chapter on the medical implications, Adult Neurogenesis Third Edition is an indispensable guide for anyone interested in the future of brain health and regeneration.

Gerd Kempermann studied medicine before becoming a postdoctoral fellow with Fred H. Gage at the Salk Institute, where he discovered that environmental enrichment increases adult neurogenesis. After serving as a research group leader in Berlin, he became a professor at the Center for Regenerative Therapies (CRTD) at TU Dresden. Since 2009, he has also led the Dresden site of the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE). His main research topics include the function and activity-dependent regulation of adult hippocampal neurogenesis, as well as the neurobiological foundations of individuality and healthy cognitive aging. He has published more than 200 research articles and is a member of the National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina.