Neurogenesis in a high resolution dentate gyrus model

Abstract

It has often been thought that adult brains are unable to produce new neurons. However, neurogenesis, or the birth of new neurons, is a naturally occurring phenomenon in a few specific brain regions. The well-studied dentate gyrus (DG) region of hippocampus in the medial temporal lobe is one such region. Nevertheless, the functional significance of neurogenesis is still unknown. Artificial neural network models of the DG not only provide a framework for investigating existing theories, but also aid in the development of new hypothesis and lead to greater neurogenesis understanding. © 2013 Springer-Verlag.