Popular Research
Among the various different strides being made in the field of neuroscience regarding neurogenesis, here are some links to articles and research that I found most interesting.
1. Neurogenesis: THe Unknown Frontier
This article is a great way to basically sum up all the potential of neurogenesis. Although we have established that it definitely occurs in humans and that it can potentially treat various diseases and problems, we are still unsure WHY it actually occurs. Although many studies are attempting to find what neurogenesis can influence, we are still unsure of it's initial purpose or why it responds in certain ways. Some of the questions such as, "Why does it decrease with age?", are still unanswered. All of the research that is currently being conducted on the topic of neurogenesis is slowly attempting to fill in all these gaps in our knowledge.
2. Moderate alcohol Consumption reduces Neurogenesis
This article talks about the effects that even moderate drinking has on your brain's neurogenesis. I always knew that alcohol consumption was bad for your liver and I assumed that exorbitant use would lead to some sort of brain damage but this study shows that excessive use is not necessary. If you have a blood alcohol level (BAC) of 0.08% or lower you are legally authorized to drive a car. This BAC level does not impair your motor skills but has actually been shown to reduce neurogenesis in the brain! Reduced neurogenesis can affect your learning, memory, and cognitive function. I found this article particularly interesting just because I never realized that even moderate alcohol usage could have such significant effects on your nerve cells!
3. ketamine as an antidepressant
Ketamine is a street drug that has effects similar to PCP and DXM. It produces hallucinatory effects and produces a dissociative state where one feels detached from their physical body. These effects at their worst are sometimes thought to mimic schizophrenia. It is a drug that is very addictive as you build tolerance and dependence quickly.
Recent studies have shown that ketamine actually has the potential to be used as an antidepressant. It was initially believed that low serotonin and dopamine levels are responsible for depression. Now it is said to be due to loss of neurons. Ketamine is being researched as a treatment for depression because of it's ability to help in the generation of new neurons in neurogenesis. There has been skepticism due to ketamine's street drug reputation and significant side effects. I find it interesting that a drug that lead to addiction and psychiatric side effects is being considered to treat something as serious as depression.
Recent studies have shown that ketamine actually has the potential to be used as an antidepressant. It was initially believed that low serotonin and dopamine levels are responsible for depression. Now it is said to be due to loss of neurons. Ketamine is being researched as a treatment for depression because of it's ability to help in the generation of new neurons in neurogenesis. There has been skepticism due to ketamine's street drug reputation and significant side effects. I find it interesting that a drug that lead to addiction and psychiatric side effects is being considered to treat something as serious as depression.
4. Stress, Reduced Neurogenesis and Depression
The first part of this article talks about an experiment performed to determine the link between stress, neurogenesis and depression. The results of the experiment show that stress and reduced neurogenesis regulate each other and together are related to symptoms of depression. What was great about this paper is that it really gets you thinking about how exactly this occurs. What regulates what first? Does stress cause reduced neurogenesis or does reduced neurogenesis produce stress? And at what point does this cause depression? Are certain people prone to stress or reduced neurogenesis therefore causing the other to occur as well? All of these questions make you realize that these phenomena are very complex and interlinked.