Neural stem cells:mechanisms and modeling

In the adult brain,neural stem cells have been found in two major niches:the hippocampus and the olfactory bulb.Neurons derived from these stem cells contribute to learning,memory,and the autonomous repair of the brain under pathological conditions.Hence,the physi-ology of adult neural stem cells has become a signifi-cant component of research on synaptic plasticity and neuronal disorders.In addition,the recently developed induced pluripotent stem cell technique provides a powerful tool for researchers engaged in the patho-logical and pharmacological study of neuronal disor-ders.In this review,we briefly summarize the research progress in neural stem cells in the adult brain and in the neuropathological application of the induced pluripotent stem cell technique.