Adult neurogenesis in the mammalian brain

New neurons are generated throughout life in distinct areas of the mammalian brain. This process, called adult neurogenesis, has challenged previously held concepts about adult brain plasticity and opened novel therapeutic avenues to treat certain neuro-psychiatric diseases. Here, we review the current knowledge regarding the fate and potency of neural stem cells (NSCs), as well as the mechanisms underlying neuronal differentiation and subsequent integration. Furthermore, we discuss the functional significance of adult neurogenesis in health and disease, and offer brief insight into the future directions of the adult neurogenesis field.