Neurogenesis | |
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Identifiers | |
MeSH | D055495 |
Anatomical terminology |
Neurogenesis is the process by which nervous system cells, the neurons, are produced by neural stem cells (NSCs).[1] This occurs in all species of animals except the porifera (sponges) and placozoans.[2] Types of NSCs include neuroepithelial cells (NECs), radial glial cells (RGCs), basal progenitors (BPs), intermediate neuronal precursors (INPs), subventricular zone astrocytes, and subgranular zone radial astrocytes, among others.[2]
Neurogenesis is most active during embryonic development and is responsible for producing all the various types of neurons of the organism, but it continues throughout adult life in a variety of organisms.[2] Once born, neurons do not divide (see mitosis), and many will live the lifespan of the animal, except under extraordinary and usually pathogenic circumstances.[3]