The contribution of failing adult hippocampal neurogenesis to psychiatric disorders

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

Abstract

Purpose of review
Failing adult neurogenesis is increasingly considered a factor in the pathogenesis and course of psychiatric disorders. The level of evidence in favor of such hypotheses varies, but disturbed cellular plasticity in the hippocampus may be a common aspect of several neuropsychiatric diseases.

Recent findings
This review covers the literature from mid-2006 to the end of 2007. We discuss studies and theoretical papers dealing with the contribution of adult neurogenesis to dementias and neurodegeneration, major depression, schizophrenia, and alcohol and drug abuse. Of these disorders, most progress has recently been made with schizophrenia for which, in contrast to the other conditions, suggestive genetic evidence exists (e.g. Disc1, Npas3).

Summary
Failing adult hippocampal neurogenesis may not explain major depression, addiction or schizophrenia, but contributes to the hippocampal aspects of the disease. We propose that the key to a more thorough understanding of this contribution will come from increased knowledge on the functional relevance of new neurons in the hippocampus and better clinical data relating to symptoms possibly related to such function. Research on the molecular basis of adult hippocampal neurogenesis may help to explain how hippocampal aspects of these disorders develop.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)290-295
Number of pages6
JournalCurrent Opinion in Psychiatry
Volume21
Issue number3
Publication statusPublished - 2008
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

researchoutputwizard legacy.publication#25534
Scopus 41749113342
ORCID /0000-0002-5304-4061/work/161408157

Keywords

DFG Classification of Subject Areas according to Review Boards

Sustainable Development Goals