Neurogenesis
Neurogenesis is the process of creating new neurons from neural stem cells. It occurs mainly in the brain's hippocampus, where it supports memory and learning, and is enhanced by factors like exercise.
Neurogenesis refers to the biological process by which new neurons are generated from neural stem cells. In adults, this occurs primarily in specific brain regions such as the hippocampus, particularly the dentate gyrus, where it supports memory formation and pattern separation. Factors like aerobic exercise increase BDNF, a protein that promotes neuronal survival and the creation of new neurons, making neurogenesis a key mechanism in brain plasticity and adaptation.
What this means in real life
When someone learns a new skill like playing an instrument, their brain generates fresh neurons in the hippocampus to help encode and store those new memories, supporting the learning process.
What it isn’t
It is not the growth of existing neurons or the formation of new connections between existing cells. Those are separate processes called neuronal growth and synaptogenesis; neurogenesis specifically means the birth of entirely new nerve cells.
Commonly misused online
Social media often claims that specific foods, supplements, or activities 'boost neurogenesis' as a cure-all for aging or cognitive decline, when evidence for most such claims remains limited or preliminary.