A new research confirms that neurons are formed in the brain of adults

Honorable is an essential brain area for learning and memory and involved in organizing passion. In 2013, the Jonas Fresyen Research Group at the Carolinska Institute in a high -level study showed that new neurons could be formed in the hippocampus of adult humans. Then the researchers measured the carbon 14 levels in the DNA of the brain tissue, which made it possible to determine when the cells were formed.

Determine the cells of origin

However, the importance and importance of this composition of new neurons (nerve formation) is still discussed. There was no clear evidence that cells that precede the new neurons, known as the predecessor cells, are already present and are divided into adult humans.

“We have now been able to identify these cells of origin, confirming that there is a continuous formation of neurons in the hippocampus in the adult brain,” says Jonas Fresyen, professor of stem cell research in the department of molecular cells and biology, which led the research.

From 0 to 78 years of age

In the new study, the researchers merged many advanced methods of examining brain tissue from people between 0 and 78 years of many international biological banks. They used a method called individual RNA sequence, which analyzes genes activity in individual cell nuclei, and the cell flow to study cell properties. By combining this with machine learning, they were able to determine different stages of the development of neurons, from stem cells to immature neurons, many of which were in the division.

To localize these cells, researchers used two techniques that show where the different genes in the tissues are active: Rnascope and Xenium. These methods confirmed that the newly formed cells were located in a specific area of ​​the hippocampus called the elderly gown. This field is important for the formation of memory, learning and cognitive flexibility.

Hope in new treatments

The results showed that the strains of extreme neurons are similar to those in mice, pigs and monkeys, but there are some differences in which genes are active. There were also major differences between individuals – some adults had many nervous cells, others were barely barely.

“This gives us an important part of the puzzle in understanding how the human brain works and changes during life,” explains Jonas Fresyne. “Our research may also have effects on the development of regenerative treatments that stimulate the formation of nerves in neurological and psychological degenerative disorders.”

The study was conducted in close cooperation with Ionut Dumitru, Marta Patelini and other researchers in Karolinska Institutet, as well as researchers at the Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden.

This research was funded by the Swedish Research Council, the European Research Council (ERC), the Swedish Cancer Society, the KNUT Foundation, Alice Wallenberg, the Swedish Foundation for Strategic Research, the Statregen program, the long -term Embo colleagues, and Mary Scoludovska and Scilifelab. Jonas Fresyne is a 10x Genomics consultant. See the scientific article to obtain a full list of potential interests.