New role found for adult brain cells

BALTIMORE, May 29 (UPI) -- A U.S.-led study has found new nerves in an adult brain experience a one-month period during which they're as active as nerves in a developing child.

Johns Hopkins University Assistant Professor Hongjun Song said the study suggests new adult nerves have a deeper role than simply replacing dead ones.

Song and colleagues tracked the chemical signals received by newly made nerve cells in the adult mouse hippocampus by injecting virus particles to light up nerve progenitor cells. Any freshly made nerves glowed green and become permanently marked for later identification.

"The brief heightened activity we saw may help explain how adults continue to adapt to new experiences even though adult brains are more hardwired than children's brains," said Song.

"If we can implant or stimulate these adult stem cells in damaged areas, it's possible we can do more than fill in lost nerve connections," he said. "We might be able to rejuvenate an aging brain."

Authors of the paper appearing in the journal Neuron also include Chih-hao Yang and Kuei-sen Hsu of National Cheng Kung University in Taiwan and Shaoyo Ge, Guo-li Ming of Johns Hopkins.