In this podcast, Connor Wander interviews Andrew Crowther, a fellow graduate student in the Song Lab at UNC Chapel Hill and a member of the Neuroscience curriculum. We cover Andrew’s research focus: serotonin’s effect on adult neurogenesis. We also speculate a bit on other mechanisms of regulation of neurogenesis, and various functions of the hippocampus like spatial navigation.

Andrew and other members of the Song Lab just published an open access Stem Cell Reports Paper on a new Adeno-associated Virus (AAV) tool that scientists can use to target neural stem cells in high-tech experiments!

Adult Neurogenesis

Neurogenesis is the birth and development of new neurons in the developed brain. This process occurs well into adulthood and helps us form new memories and adapt to new environments. Recently, exercise has been shown to increase adult neurogenesis in mice and other mammals. More adult neurogenesis may translate into more brain power.

Dr. Juan Song’s lab at UNC Chapel Hill studies neurogenesis, and the different neurotransmitter systems that regulate it. Various neurotransmitters and neuropeptide have been shown to change the rate of neurogenesis in different ways.

Ask the Experts

Song Lab website:

songlab.web.unc.edu/

Andrew wrote a review on neurotransmitter-based regulation of neurogenesis with Dr. Song:

Activity-dependent signaling mechanisms regulating adult hippocampal neural stem cells and their progeny

Check out our first roundtable segment: The Microbiome

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