A Potential Strategy for Treatment of Neurodegenerative Disorders by Regulation of Adult Hippocampal Neurogenesis in Human Brain

Adult hippocampal neurogenesis is a multistage mechanism that continues throughout the lifespan of human and non-human mammals. These adult-born neurons in the central nervous system (CNS) play a significant role in various hippocampus-dependent processes, including learning, mood regulation, pattern recognition, etc. Reduction of adult hippocampal neurogenesis, caused by multiple factors such as neurological disorders and aging, would impair neuronal proliferation and differentiation and result in memory loss. Accumulating studies have indicated that functional neuron impairment could be restored by promoting adult hippocampal neurogenesis. In this review, we summarized the small molecules that could efficiently promote the process of adult neurogenesis, particularly the agents that have the capacity of crossing the blood-brain barrier (BBB), and showed in vivo efficacy in mammalian brains. This may pave the way for the rational design of drugs to treat human neurodegenerative disorders in the future.

Automated summary

Adult hippocampal neurogenesis is a multi-stage mechanism that continues throughout human and non-human mammals' lifespan, playing a significant role in various processes. Studies suggest that promoting adult hippocampal neurogenesis can restore impaired neurons. This review summarizes small molecules that can promote adult neurogenesis, especially those capable of crossing the blood-brain barrier and exhibiting efficacy in mammalian brains, which may contribute to the development of drugs for treating neurodegenerative disorders in the future.