Neuronal integration in the adult olfactory bulb is a non-selective addition process

Adult neurogenesis is considered a competition in which neurons scramble during a critical period for integration and survival. Moreover, newborn neurons are thought to replace preexisting ones that die. Despite a wealth of evidence supporting this model, systematic in vivo observations of the process are still scarce. We used 2-photon imaging to study neuronal integration and survival directly in the olfactory bulb (OB) of living mice. Long-term tracking of over 1400 neurons demonstrated that cell-loss in the OB is virtually absent. Neuronal death resembling a critical period was induced by standard doses of BrdU or EdU, but disappeared when low doses of EdU were used, demonstrating toxicity. Finally, we demonstrate that the OB grows throughout life. This shows that neuronal selection during OB-neurogenesis does not occur during integration and argues against the existence of a critical period. Moreover, the OB is not a turnover system but shows lifelong neuronal addition.