Notch signaling pathway regulates adult mammalian central nervous system

Physiologically, Notch signaling pathway is not only to be implicated in the maintenance and self-renewal of adult NSC, but also can inhibit differentiation of NSC to neuron and promotes to neural gila cells. After cerebral ischemia occurs, Notch signaling pathway is activated to regulate the reconstitution of the brain lesion and functional restoration. Here,we review the roles of Notch signaling pathway in the adult mammalian CNS in physiological and pathological conditions. Key words: Notch signaling pathway; Neural stem cells; Neural glia cells; Differentiation; Proliferation