New neurons continue to be generated in the dentate gyrus throughout life, providing this region of the hippocampus with exceptional structural plasticity, but the function of this ongoing neurogenesis is unknown. Inhibition of adult neurogenesis produces some behavioral impairments that suggest a role for new neurons in learning and memory; however, other behavioral changes appear inconsistent with this function. A review of studies investigating the function of the hippocampus going back several decades reveals many ideas that seem to converge on a critical role for the hippocampus in stress response and emotion. These potential hippocampal functions provide new avenues for investigating the behavioral functions of adult neurogenesis. And, conversely, studies in animals lacking adult neurogenesis, which are likely to have more limited and more specific impairments than are seen with lesions, may provide valuable new insights into the function of the hippocampus. A complete understanding of the function of the hippocampus must explain its role in emotion and the relationship between its emotional and memory functions.

中文翻译：

---

成人神经发生：超越学习和记忆。


新的神经元在整个生命过程中不断在齿状回中产生，为海马体的这一区域提供了特殊的结构可塑性，但这种持续神经发生的功能尚不清楚。抑制成人神经发生会产生一些行为障碍，这表明新神经元在学习和记忆中发挥作用；然而，其他行为变化似乎与此功能不一致。对几十年前海马体功能研究的回顾揭示了许多观点，这些观点似乎都集中在海马体在压力反应和情绪中的关键作用上。这些潜在的海马功能为研究成人神经发生的行为功能提供了新途径。相反，对缺乏成体神经发生的动物进行的研究可能会为海马体功能提供有价值的新见解，这些动物可能比病变具有更有限和更具体的损伤。对海马体功能的完整理解必须解释其在情绪中的作用以及其情绪与记忆功能之间的关系。