During adult rodent life, newborn neurons are added to the olfactory bulb (OB) in a tightly controlled manner. Upon arrival in the OB, input synapses from the local bulbar network and the higher olfactory cortex precede the formation of functional output synapses, indicating a possible role for these regions in newborn neuron survival. An interplay between the environment and the piriform cortex in the regulation of newborn neuron survival has been suggested. However, the specific network and the neuronal cell types responsible for this effect have not been elucidated. Furthermore, the role of the other olfactory cortical areas in this process is not known. Here we demonstrate that pyramidal neurons in the mouse anterior olfactory nucleus, the first cortical area for odor processing, have a key role in the survival of newborn neurons. Using DREADD (Designer Receptors Exclusively Activated by Designer Drugs) technology, we applied chronic stimulation to the anterior olfactory nucleus and observed a decrease in newborn neurons in the OB through induction of apoptosis. These findings provide further insight into the network regulating neuronal survival in adult neurogenesis and strengthen the importance of the surrounding network for sustained integration of new neurons.

中文翻译：

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前嗅核的慢性化学遗传刺激降低了成年小鼠嗅球中新生神经元的存活率

在成年啮齿动物的生活中，新生神经元以严格控制的方式添加到嗅球 (OB)。到达 OB 后，来自局部延髓网络和高级嗅觉皮层的输入突触先于功能性输出突触的形成，表明这些区域在新生儿神经元存活中可能发挥作用。环境和梨状皮层在新生儿神经元存活调节中的相互作用已被提出。然而，导致这种效应的特定网络和神经元细胞类型尚未阐明。此外，其他嗅觉皮层区域在此过程中的作用尚不清楚。在这里，我们证明小鼠前嗅核中的锥体神经元是气味处理的第一个皮质区域，在新生神经元的存活中起着关键作用。使用 DREADD（由设计师药物独家激活的设计师受体）技术，我们对前嗅核应用慢性刺激，并通过诱导细胞凋亡观察到 OB 中新生神经元的减少。这些发现提供了对调节成人神经发生中神经元存活的网络的进一步了解，并加强了周围网络对新神经元持续整合的重要性。