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21 - Immature neurons in the adult brain. Breaking all the rules

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 December 2011

J. Martin Wojtowicz
Affiliation:
University of Toronto
Narinder Kapur
Affiliation:
University College London
Alvaro Pascual-Leone
Affiliation:
Harvard Medical School
Vilayanur Ramachandran
Affiliation:
University of California, San Diego
Jonathan Cole
Affiliation:
University of Bournemouth
Sergio Della Sala
Affiliation:
University of Edinburgh
Tom Manly
Affiliation:
MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit
Andrew Mayes
Affiliation:
University of Manchester
Oliver Sacks
Affiliation:
Columbia University Medical Center
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Summary

Summary

Paradoxes in the field of adult neurogenesis are many. This may be partly due to the fact that this field of research is relatively new and that ideas outpace hard facts. Moreover, evidence originating from different laboratories is often inconsistent due to varied experimental conditions. We will not concern ourselves with such trivial controversies, but instead try to point out the perceived inconsistencies that may represent true exceptions to the rule. Such paradoxes make one pause and wonder about accepted theories, and importantly, may point us in new and creative directions.

The chapter begins with an explanation of neurogenesis in the context of brain anatomy. Description of neuronal ‘assembly line’ is followed by explanation of what new neurons look like and how they function. At the end of this chapter the reader will realize that the very existence of adult neurogenesis is still denied by some, and that most debates are yet to be settled.

Glossary

Apoptosis – a type of cell death resulting from a sequence of chemical reactions within the cell. It can be triggered ‘on purpose’ to eliminate excessive cell numbers during brain growth.

Contextual learning – a type of learning depending strongly on the context in which the learning took place. Often associated with specific brain structures such as the hippocampus.

Entorhinal cortex – part of the cortex immediately adjacent to the hippocampus. It contains neurons that send information to and receive information from the hippocampus.

Hippocampal formation – includes three main brain components constituting neuronal circuitry responsible for learning.

Type
Chapter
Information
The Paradoxical Brain , pp. 365 - 378
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2011

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References

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