Neurogenesis and Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells Study Guide

These flashcards cover key concepts related to neurogenesis, induced pluripotent stem cells, epigenetics, and developmental neurology.

Neurogenesis

The process of generating new neurons in the brain.

BrdU

Bromodeoxyuridine, a marker used to identify dividing cells and newly born neurons.

What are the primary areas in the adult brain where neurogenesis occurs?

Hippocampus, olfactory bulb, and other areas like the caudate nucleus.

Factors that promote neurogenesis

Enriched environment, exercise, and learning tasks that rely on the hippocampus.

BDNF

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor, a neurotrophin that supports existing neurons and promotes the growth of new neurons.

Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPCS)

Cells reprogrammed from differentiated adult cells into stem cells with the potential to differentiate into any cell type.

cellular reprogramming

The technique used to revert mature cells back to a pluripotent state using stem-cell associated genes.

Viral transfection

The method used to introduce reprogramming genes into mature cells via retroviruses.

Applications of induced pluripotent stem cells

Cell therapy, disease modeling, and potential treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.

Spina Bifida

A defect occurring when the neural tube fails to close at the caudal end, causing spinal cord malformation.

Anencephaly

A condition resulting from the failure of the neural tube to close at the rostral end, leading to incomplete brain development.

What is epigenetics?

Functional modifications to the genome that do not involve changes in nucleotide sequences.

DNA methylation

The process of adding a methyl group to cytosines in DNA, which can silence gene transcription.

Histone modification

Changes to histone proteins that alter chromatin structure and gene accessibility for transcription factors.

Maternal behavior effect on offspring

High levels of maternal care lead to greater hippocampal glucocorticoid receptor density and improved stress responsiveness.

BPA influence on gene expression

BPA can decrease methylation of the agouti gene, affecting coat color and obesity in rodents.