Neurogenesis pathway

The term "Neurogenesis pathways" refers collectively to a set of highly conserved molecular signaling cascades that regulate the generation of new neurons from precursor cells during both embryonic development and adulthood. These include major developmental signals such as the Wnt/β-catenin, Notch, Sonic hedgehog, BMP/TGF-beta families—each orchestrating distinct but overlapping aspects like maintenance and activation of neural stem/progenitor cells; their proliferation; fate specification; migration; differentiation into mature neurons; synaptic integration; and survival. These processes are essential not only during brain formation but also throughout life in regions like the hippocampus and olfactory bulb where adult neurogenesis supports learning, memory formation, emotional regulation, and recovery from injury. Disruption or dysregulation contributes to cognitive decline with aging as well as various neurological diseases including Alzheimer’s disease and developmental disorders such as Down syndrome. While individual molecules within these pathways can be considered therapeutic targets—for example DYRK1A kinase in Down syndrome—“neurogenesis pathways” itself is not a single druggable entity but rather an umbrella term encompassing multiple interrelated molecular mechanisms.

Other names

Neurogenic pathwayPathways regulating neurogenesisAdult neurogenesis pathwayEmbryonic neurogenesis pathway

Drugs act by modulating key molecular regulators within the pathways: Inhibition of kinases such as DYRK1A to restore normal cell cycle progression in neural progenitors; Modulation of Notch or Wnt signaling to influence neural stem cell fate and proliferation.