Advances in intravital imaging of adult neurogenesis in mice.

Abstract

The lifelong addition of stem-cell-derived neurons into distinct areas of the mammalian brain, such as the olfactory bulb and hippocampal dentate gyrus, provides structural and functional plasticity to neural circuits. To understand the dynamic processes underlying adult neurogenesis, from dividing stem/progenitor cells to integrating neurons, and to probe how new neurons shape brain function, intravital imaging turned out to be a powerful tool. Here, we review recent advances in the field of adult neurogenesis achieved by using in vivo imaging approaches in mice and discuss future directions of imaging-based experiments that will further our understanding of adult neurogenesis.