Neural mechanisms underlying GABAergic regulation of adult hippocampal neurogenesis

Abstract

<p class="first" id="P1">Within the dentate gyrus of the adult hippocampus is the subgranular zone, which contains a neurogenic niche for radial-like glial cells, the most primitive neural stem cells in the adult brain. The quiescence of this neural stem cell pool is maintained by tonic GABA release from interneurons. Once these cells differentiate into neural progenitor cells, GABA continues to regulate their development into mature granule cells, the principle cell type of the dentate gyrus. Here we review the role of GABA circuits, signaling, and receptors in regulation of the development of adult-born neurons, as well as the molecular players that modulate GABA signaling. Furthermore, we review recent findings linking the dysregulation of adult hippocampal neurogenesis to the altered GABAergic circuitry and signaling found in various pathological conditions. </p>