Adult neurogenesis, i.e., the generation of neurons from neural stem cells (NSCs) in the adult brain, contributes to brain plasticity in all vertebrates. It varies, however, greatly in extent, location and physiological characteristics between species. During the last decade, the teleost zebrafish (D. rerio) was increasingly used to study the molecular and cellular properties of adult NSCs, in particular as a prominent NSC population was discovered at the ventricular surface of the dorsal telencephalon (pallium), in territories homologous to the adult neurogenic niches of rodents. This model, for its specific features (large NSC population, amenability to intravital imaging, high regenerative capacity) allowed rapid progress in the characterization of basic adult NSC features. We review here these findings, with specific comparisons with the situation in rodents. We specifically discuss the cellular nature of NSCs (astroglial or neuroepithelial cells), their heterogeneities and their neurogenic lineages, and the mechanisms controlling NSC quiescence and fate choices, which all impact the neurogenic output. We further discuss the regulation of NSC activity in response to physiological triggers and non-physiological conditions such as regenerative contexts.

成年神经发生，即成年大脑中神经干细胞（NSC）产生神经元，有助于所有脊椎动物的大脑可塑性。但是，物种之间的范围，位置和生理特征差异很大。在过去的十年中，硬骨斑马鱼（D. rerio）越来越多地用于研究成年NSC的分子和细胞特性，特别是因为在与啮齿类动物成年神经源性利基同源的领土的背脑（pallium）的心室表面发现了一个重要的NSC种群。该模型因其特定特征（NSC人口众多，玻璃体内成像的适应性，高再生能力）而使成人成年NSC基本特征的表征得以快速发展。我们在这里回顾这些发现，并与啮齿动物的情况进行具体比较。我们专门讨论了NSC（星形胶质细胞或神经上皮细胞）的细胞性质，它们的异质性及其神经源性谱系，以及控制NSC静止和命运选择的机制，这些都影响神经源性输出。