Alcohol, neural stem cells, and adult neurogenesis.(Research Update)

From: Alcohol Research & Health | Date: March 22, 2003| Author: Crews, Fulton T.; Nixon, Kim | Copyright information

Recent research demonstrates that neural stem cells divide throughout life and give rise to new neurons, a process known as neurogenesis. This article addresses two principal questions concerning alcohol and adult neurogenesis: To what extent are neurogenesis in the adult brain and the risk for alcoholism governed by similar factors? And, to what extent and through what mechanisms do alcohol use and alcoholism affect adult neurogenesis? This article also discusses genetic and envir...