Contrary to common beliefs, new neurons are generated in the adult brain every day, throughout our entire lives. These new neurons are born from ‘mother’ or ‘stem’ cells present in some few areas of the adult brain. This process is termed adult neurogenesis and the newborn neurons are involved in high cognitive learning tasks and in anxiety-like behavior. Unfortunately, as we grow older adult neurogenesis decreases and our cognitive abilities decline.
In this lecture, Dr. Carlos P. Fitzsimons will discuss the properties of stem cells present in our brain and their relevance for aging and age-associated neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's.
Carlos P. Fitzsimons is researcher at the Neuroscience Program of the Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, University of Amsterdam. He has recently received the Top Paper Award during the annual Dutch Neuroscience Meeting for his contribution to understanding how newborn neurons are regulated by stress hormones and how this regulation impacts on stress-associated behavior.
This lecture is organized by Protagoras, the study association of Biomedical Technology at the TU/e, in cooperation with Studium Generale. The lecture is also part of the symposium The Ageing Brain - slowing it down, organized by Protagoras.
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