The adult brain is not as fixed and immutable as was long assumed. This century has given rise to a new concept: our stock of neurons is not built up once and for all at birth! Adult hippocampal neurogenesis, the generation of new neurons in the hippocampus, has been confirmed in mammals these last decades.

The primary region for adult neurogenesis is the dentate gyrus within the hippocampus. Neural stem cells in the dentate gyrus give rise to new neurons that are added to the preexisting ones. Whether adult neurogenesis contributes to cellular turnover in the DG is still an unresolved issue.

Adult neurogenesis is tightly regulated by various factors, including genetic, environmental (stress, physical activity, nutrition etc..) and physiological cues. Astrocytes, microglia and vasculature play essential roles in the regulation of neurogenesis. Astrocytes contribute to the microenvironment supporting neurogenesis, while microglia are involved in immune responses and maintenance of neural tissue. Blood vessels play a multifaceted role by providing essential nutrients, removing metabolic waste products and coupling neural activity and blood flow. Many molecular pathways are involved in the control of neural stem cell fate and differentiation and in the different stages of neurogenesis.

Newborn neurons integrate into existing neural circuits, forming functional connections. GABAergic and glutamatergic transmissions play a crucial role in regulating the activity of these newly integrated neurons. Adult hippocampal neurogenesis is implicated in learning and memory processes. It may also contribute to cognitive flexibility, pattern separation, and spatial memory. It is also involved in emotion and there is ongoing research exploring the potential role of adult neurogenesis in psychiatric disorders: depression, anxiety, addiction are areas of particular interest. Manipulating adult neurogenesis is considered a potential avenue for therapeutic interventions in brain disorders. Strategies to enhance neurogenesis, such as exercise or pharmacological interventions, are being explored.

Overall, the field of adult hippocampal neurogenesis is dynamic, with ongoing research expanding our understanding of the cellular and molecular mechanisms, functional implications, and potential therapeutic applications in the mammalian brain.

The aim of this 5^th conference is to bring together the best specialists of the field, european students and young researchers in Bordeaux to share new discoveries in this field.

List of Past Conferences

•  4^th EUROGENESIS meeting : « Adult Neurogenesis in Physiology and Disease ». July June 11^th -13^th 2019
• 3^rd EUROGENESIS meeting : « Adult Neurogenesis in Physiology and Disease ». July 11^th -13^th 2016
• 2^nd EUROGENESIS meeting : « Adult Neurogenesis in Physiology and Disease ». June 24 ^th-26 ^th 2013
• Adult neurogenesis : Aquitaine meeting on cerebral plasticity. September 30^th –October 1^rst 2010