The process of forming new neurons from the brain’s own neural stem/progenitor cells is called neurogenesis. Surprisingly, this event continues to proceed well into adulthood.  In particular, neurogenesis is known for taking place in the hippocampus, one of two major neural stem/progenitor cell niches, which is critical for learning and memory.  Changes in the rate and outcome of neurogenesis due to aging, stress, injury and disease can adversely affect these essential functions.

Why is neurogenesis an exciting target for therapeutic intervention into a number of neurological disease indications?

One rule of thumb is that the human body never wastes energy-consuming processes, like that which occurs when producing new neurons from neural progenitor cells in the hippocampus. Therefore, the brain must require and utilize these nascent neurons into adulthood, if the brain naturally continues to promote neurogenesis. Added to that rule is the finding that under a number of neurodegenerative conditions (see article 2006), the brain attempts to compensate for the neuron loss by promoting further proliferation and differentiation into new neurons, which migrate to those regions of the brain exhibiting the neurodegeneration. By finding therapies that further advance neurogenesis it should be possible to halt and potentially reverse the disease progression.

Even if the underlying disease cannot be completely reversed, and the mechanism that is causing neurons to die is therefore still operating, a greater rate of neurogenesis coupled with a protection of these newly formed neurons ("neuroprotection") can be a path to major improvements in function and capacity of the diseased brain.

Neuronascent’s scientists have been able to enhance neurogenesis in vitro and in vivo, and have demonstrated in models of disease that the neurogenesis correlates with significant behavioral benefit. The means by which these therapeutic candidates were identified is described (>Drug Discovery).   

Scientists at Neuronascent continue to develop new therapies and to determine if NNI identified therapeutics are useful for more than a single indication, since there is such a large unmet need for neurological disease therapeutics.