The future belongs to those who prepare for it today

Hippocampal neural stem cells (NSCs) and neurogenesis decline sharply with age, though a small population remains. Two articles in this issue of Cell Stem Cell by Ibrayeva et al. (2021) and Harris et al. (2021) indicate the presence of subpopulations of NSCs whose dynamics of activation and self-renewal change over time and may be key to NSC preservation.

Automated summary

The articles highlight the presence of subpopulations of NSCs in the hippocampus, with dynamics of activation and self-renewal that change over time. These subpopulations may be key to preserving NSCs despite the decline in neurogenesis with age.