Postnatal adult human hippocampal neurogenesis was first established in 1998 using genomic labeling with BrdU in five patients with squamous cell carcinoma who underwent BrdU infusion as part of their treatment 4. In humans, analysis of neuronal turnover for decades had been restricted to immunohistochemical studies, while evidence from genomic labeling approaches was missing. Immunohistochemistry in combination with genomic labeling using BrdU provided solid evidence for DNA-synthesis and long-term survival of new-born neurons in these neurogenic areas 1. These findings in the CNS of animals are widely accepted as neuronal cell turnover was verified by independent methodological approaches. the subgranular zone of the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus and the subventricular zone of the lateral ventricles 2, 3. Various studies provided evidence for adult neurogenesis in rodents as well as non-human primates, notably in two neurogenic niches, i.e. The existence of postnatal neurogenesis in mammals has been debated for decades among neuroscientists 1. In conclusion, we provide evidence for postnatal neurogenesis in the human amygdala with cell turnover rates comparable to the hippocampus.

Mathematical modelling identified a best-fitting scenario comprising of a quiescent and a renewing neuronal population with an overall renewal rate of >2.7% per year.

Mass spectrometry analysis of genomic 14C-concentrations in amygdala neurons compared with atmospheric 14C-levels provided evidence for postnatal neuronal exchange. The average rate of lipofuscin-negative neurons was 3.4%, representing a substantial proportion of cells substantially younger than the individual. We investigated post-mortem samples of twelve neurologically healthy subjects. By combining two distinct methodological approaches, lipofuscin quantification and 14C-based retrospective birth dating of neurons, along with mathematical modelling, we here explored whether postnatal neurogenesis exists in the human amygdala. Previous studies suggested that the amygdala may represent a neurogenic niche in mammals. The human amygdala is involved in processing of memory, decision-making, and emotional responses.

Zurich font download