INTRODUCTION The adult brain of mammals preserves the capacity to generate new neurons from neural stem/progenitor cells. The new neurons become part of the already-existing networks by means of a process called ‘neurogenesis in the adult brain’, which is restricted to regions of the brain with a high degree of plasticity and which are associated to functions that are impaired in Alzheimer’s disease. DEVELOPMENT. Despite increasing knowledge, there are still many questions surrounding these neurogenic phenomena, their regulation and their real therapeutic potential in cases of neurodegeneration such as the one referred to here.

CONCLUSIONS We have reviewed the subject of neurogenesis of the adult brain from both the pre-clinical point of view (experimental modelling) and the therapeutic perspective within the framework of Alzheimer’s disease.

Introducción El cerebro adulto de mamíferos conserva la capacidad de generar nuevas neuronas a partir de células troncales/progenitoras neuronales. Las nuevas neuronas se integran a las redes preexistentes a través de un proceso denominado ‘neurogénesis en el cerebro adulto’, que está confinado a regiones del cerebro con un alto grado de plasticidad y asociadas a funciones que muestran deterioro en la enfermedad de Alzheimer.

Desarrollo A pesar de lo conocido, permanecen muchos interrogantes alrededor de estos fenómenos neurogénicos, su regulación y su potencial terapéutico real en neurodegeneraciones como la referida.

Conclusiones Hemos revisado el tema de la neurogénesis del cerebro adulto desde el punto de vista preclínico (modelado experimental) y terapéutico en el marco de la enfermedad de Alzheimer.