Opposing effects of α2- and β-adrenergic receptor stimulation on quiescent neural precursor cell activity and adult hippocampal neurogenesis.

ABSTRACT: Norepinephrine regulates latent neural stem cell activity and adult hippocampal neurogenesis, and has an important role in modulating hippocampal functions such as learning, memory and mood. Adult hippocampal neurogenesis is a multi-stage process, spanning from the activation and proliferation of hippocampal stem cells, to their differentiation into neurons. However, the stage-specific effects of noradrenergic receptors in regulating adult hippocampal neurogenesis remain poorly understood. In this study, we used transgenic Nestin-GFP mice and neurosphere assays to show that modulation of α2- and β-adrenergic receptor activity directly affects Nestin-GFP/GFAP-positive precursor cell population albeit in an opposing fashion. While selective stimulation of α2-adrenergic receptors decreases pr

SUBMITTER: Jhaveri DJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4055446 | biostudies-literature | 2014

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature