In adult human brains, the hippocampus generates new neurons (adult-born neurons, or ABNs) throughout life, helping us maintain memories and regulate emotions. Scientists call this process "adult hippocampus neurogenesis (AHN)." In people with Alzheimer's disease (AD), this process is impaired, leading to reduced production of ABNs with poorer qualities. Given that AD patients often develop both cognitive symptoms (such as memory loss) and non-cognitive symptoms (such as anxiety and depression) for which AHN plays a critical role, one way to help Alzheimer's patients achieve symptom relief could be to restore AHN.
