neurogenesis

 

For decades,

scientists believed the human brain

stopped producing new neurons

after early adulthood.

Aging was thought to be a one-way process, where the brain could only lose cells or rely on existing connections.

But newer research is changing that understanding.

A study from the Karolinska Institutet

in Sweden found that

a part of the brain called the

hippocampus continues to produce new neurons even in later life.

Specifically, researchers identified active neural progenitor cells i

n the dentate gyrus,

a region linked to memory and learning.

Using advanced tools like single-nucleus RNA sequencing and detailed cellular imaging, scientists confirmed that these cells are still present and functioning in adults up to the age of 78.

This suggests the brain retains a level of adaptability much longer than previously believed.

This ongoing process, known

as neurogenesis, may help explain

why some older adults maintain

strong memory,

learning ability, and

mental flexibility.

It also points toward the potential role of lifestyle factors such as

mental stimulation,

physical activity, and

overall health

in supporting brain function.

Rather than becoming fixed or inactive,

the brain continues to evolve quietly over time, showing that aging

does not mean the end of growth.

Source: Karolinska Institutet study on adult hippocampal neurogenesis

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