Potential roles of Neurogenesis in Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia among the elderly. Its pathohistological characteristics are the accumulation of extracellular β-amyloid protein and hyperphosphorylation of tau protein. This neurodegenerative disorder is assumed to start with synaptic dysfunction and chronic loss of neuronal cells. Researchers believe that neurogenesis appears in adulthood; therefore, replacement of the lost neurons can represent a therapeutic approach for the management and improvement of AD. The developing field of stem cell biology offers great therapeutic potential for chronic neurological conditions such as AD, particularly if joined with a multitargeted therapeutic approach. It has been shown that enriched environment positively affects patient's cognitive behaviors through various mechanisms, including modulation of neurogenesis.
The current advancements in neurogenesis, stem cells therapies, and environmental enrichment in AD are reviewed in this article, and the potential barriers to the use of these treatments for AD patients are discussed.