Human hippocampal neurogenesis in adulthood, ageing and Alzheimer’s disease

Nature

by Ahmed Disouky

February 26, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

A groundbreaking study published in *Nature Neuroscience* has shed new light on the mechanisms of human hippocampal neurogenesis— the process by which new neurons are generated in the hippocampus across adulthood, aging, and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). While previous research has debated the existence and significance of neurogenesis in humans, this comprehensive multiomic single-cell sequencing study provides compelling evidence for its presence and role in cognitive function. The researchers analyzed over 350,000 nuclei from human hippocampi across diverse cohorts, including young adults, aged individuals with normal cognition, those with preclinical Alzheimer’s, and "SuperAgers" with exceptional memory abilities. The study reveals that dysregulated neurogenesis is linked to changes in chromatin accessibility, particularly in individuals with preclinical or full-blown Alzheimer’s disease. These findings suggest that alterations in the epigenetic regulation of neural stem cells and immature neurons may contribute to cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s. Notably, SuperAgers exhibited a distinct neurogenic signature associated with cognitive resilience, hinting at potential mechanisms for preserving memory function in old age. Using advanced single-cell techniques like snRNA-seq and snATAC-seq, the researchers identified key transcriptional and epigenetic pathways regulating neurogenesis. These included genes involved in neuronal development, axon guidance, and synaptic plasticity—processes critical for learning and memory. The study also highlighted the importance of astrocytes and CA1 neurons in modulating cognitive function during aging. This research advances our understanding of how neurogenesis contributes to both cognitive resilience and decline in human aging. It opens new avenues for exploring therapeutic strategies to preserve or enhance neurogenesis in conditions like Alzheimer’s disease, potentially offering a novel angle for combating cognitive impairment. The insights from this study are particularly relevant for scientists and clinicians interested in brain health and age-related neurode

Verticals

scienceresearch

Originally published on Nature on 2/26/2026