Contrary to what was previously believed, the birth of new neurons and their integration in the neuronal network continues in the adult brain, mainly in the dentate gyrus and olfactory bulb. These adult neural stem cells of the dentate gyrus actually possess a glial identity, a fact that has raised prospects of new approaches in neuronal repair for neurodegenerative disorders and traumatic brain injuries.
This pathway presents an overview of the latest advances in the field by discussing the current methodologies for neuronal reprogramming from somatic cells or glia, as well as strategies for integrating these nascent neurons into the existing neuronal network.