Adults grow new brain cells, and these neurons are key to learning by listening

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Research indicates that the adult brain has the ability to generate new neurons, but it remains unclear how the emergence of these new cells affects cognitive abilities in an adult.

among scientists.

People who have conditions that affect their brain development often have fewer neurons in their brains as adults than people who do not have these conditions. However, it's still unclear whether the inability to grow new neurons contributes to the thinking and cognitive difficulties experienced by individuals with these neurological disorders.

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New neurons and learning

Research on identifying and understanding newly formed brain cells in adults has led scientists to question the role these cells play in brain function.

These patients underwent cognitive examinations beforehand and donated brain tissue during operations to treat their seizures. To find out if the number of new neurons a patient had was related to certain cognitive abilities, we examined the tissue under the microscope for signs of neurogenesis.

Society has raised the bar on education knowledge in many areas of human life.

Actually, we did not find the same connection in people between new neurons and learning spatial information.

Improving cognition

The financial strain of declining mental abilities will worsen on the health care systems around the world.

Our studies indicate that the connection between new brain cells and verbal learning could be a key factor in creating treatments to help people recover from cognitive decline. Boosting the growth of new neurons might be a way to improve brain health and reverse cognitive problems in older individuals or those with epilepsy or dementia. However, these ideas are currently just possibilities and any potential treatments are still in the distant future.

It's crucial that we study biological functions like neurogenesis in people whenever possible, as our discovery that new neurons function differently in mice and humans highlights the importance of making animal research relevant to humans to ensure successful translation to the clinic.

We are conducting a clinical trial to boost new neuron production and cognition in people with epilepsy by focusing on the benefits of aerobic exercise. We are in the first phase of the trial, which is designed to ensure the safety of the study participants. so far, two patients have successfully and safely completed the study, and we plan to recruit eight more patients to participate and finish this initial phase.

By combining lab-based basic science and clinical research involving people, an improved understanding of brain regeneration could ultimately support overall brain health across an individual's lifetime.

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