Adult neural stem and progenitor cells (NSPCs) offer a unique opportunity for neural regeneration and niche modification in physiopathological conditions, harnessing the capability to modify from neuronal circuits to glial scar. Findings exposing the vast plasticity and potential of NSPCs have accumulated over the past years and we currently know that adult NSPCs can naturally give rise not only to neurons but also to astrocytes and reactive astrocytes, and eventually to oligodendrocytes through genetic manipulation. We can consider NSPCs as endogenous flexible tools to fight against neurodegenerative and neurological disorders and aging. In addition, NSPCs can be considered as active agents contributing to chronic brain alterations and as relevant cell populations to be preserved, so that their main function, neurogenesis, is not lost in damage or disease. Altogether we believe that learning to manipulate NSPC is essential to prevent, ameliorate or restore some of the cognitive deficits associated with brain disease and injury, and therefore should be considered as target for future therapeutic strategies. The first step to accomplish this goal is to target them specifically, by unveiling and understanding their unique markers and signaling pathways.

成人神经干细胞和祖细胞（NSPC）在生理病理条件下提供了神经再生和小生境修饰的独特机会，利用了从神经元回路到神经胶质瘢痕的修饰能力。在过去的几年中，已经积累了揭示NSPC巨大的可塑性和潜力的发现，我们目前知道，成年的NSPC不仅可以自然产生神经元，还可以通过遗传操作自然产生星形胶质细胞和反应性星形胶质细胞，最终形成少突胶质细胞。我们可以将NSPC视为对抗神经退行性疾病，神经系统疾病和衰老的内生灵活工具。此外，NSPCs可以被认为是导致慢性脑部改变的活性剂，并被视为需要保存的相关细胞群，因此它们的主要功能，神经发生，不会因破坏或疾病而损失。总的来说，我们认为学习操纵NSPC对于预防，改善或恢复与脑部疾病和损伤相关的某些认知缺陷至关重要，因此应被视为未来治疗策略的目标。实现此目标的第一步是通过揭示和了解其独特的标记物和信号传导途径来针对性地定位它们。