Time-of-Day-Dependent Enhancement of Adult Neurogenesis in the Hippocampus
2008
Daily Rhythm in Neurogenesis
Sample size: 6
publication
Evidence: high
Author Information
Author(s): Tamai So-ichi, Sanada Kamon, Fukada Yoshitaka
Primary Institution: The University of Tokyo
Hypothesis
Are neural progenitor cells and neurogenesis in the adult brain modulated in a time-of-day-dependent fashion?
Conclusion
Neurogenesis in the adult hippocampus occurs in a time-of-day-dependent manner, with increased activity at night.
Supporting Evidence
- The number of M-phase cells shows a day/night variation, significantly increasing at night.
- Nighttime enhancement of progenitor mitosis is accompanied by an increase in newborn neurons.
- Progenitor proliferation in the dentate gyrus is modifiable by nocturnal exercise.
Takeaway
Mice grow new brain cells more at night than during the day, which helps their brains work better.
Methodology
Mice were housed under light/dark cycles, and the number of dividing cells in the dentate gyrus was examined using immunostaining.
Limitations
The study was conducted on male mice only, which may limit the generalizability of the findings.
Participant Demographics
Six-week-old male mice
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.0001
Statistical Significance
p<0.0001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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