Human Adult Neurogenesis Loss Underlies Cognitive Decline During Epilepsy Progression

Abstract

Mesial temporal lobe epilepsy is a syndromic disorder presenting with seizures and cognitive comorbidities. The cellular mechanisms contributing to epilepsy progression are not well understood. Here we show that intelligence, verbal learning, and memory decline at a critical period when hippocampal neurogenesis becomes undetectable. Individual patient analysis revealed that the number of immature neurons, rather than total granule neurons, particularly benefit verbal learning. These results illustrate a functional role for adult human neurogenesis and reveal a therapeutic target accompanying cognitive decline.