A coming-of-age story: adult neurogenesis or adolescent neurogenesis in rodents?

• DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2024.1383728
• Publication Date: 2024-03-05T04:29:12Z
• Authors: Jon I. Arellano; Alvaro Duque; Pasko Rakic
• Keywords: Early adulthood; Trait

It is surprising that after more than a century using rodents for scientific research, there are no clear, consensual, or consistent definitions when mouse rat becomes adult. Specifically, in the field of adult hippocampal neurogenesis, where this concept central, trend to consider puberty marks start adulthood and not uncommon find 30-day-old mice being described as adults. However, others discussed earlier, implies an important bias perceived importance trait because functional studies normally done at very young ages, neurogenesis its peak, disregarding middle aged old animals exhibit little generation new neurons. In feature article we elaborate on those issues argue research postnatal development rats last 3 decades allows establish adolescence period transition adulthood, occurs other mammals. Adolescence both ends around day 60 therefore age can be considered onset species. Nonetheless, account inter-individual, inter-strain differences maturation possible delays due environmental social conditions, months might safer option