Can Adults Grow New Brain Cells? Neurogenesis Explained
This paper examines the longstanding debate over whether adults can grow new brain cells — a question central to neuroscience and psychology. Conventional wisdom holds that neurogenesis largely ceases after infancy, but recent research challenges this view. The paper reviews evidence for structural plasticity in the adult brain, explaining how environmental factors, behaviors, and brain processes induce morphological changes that may generate new neurons. It also addresses whether the adult brain can replace neurons lost to diseases such as Parkinson's disease and multiple sclerosis. Drawing on studies from Columbia University and other sources, the paper argues that adult neurogenesis is real and that the belief in a fixed, unchanging adult brain is a myth.
- Introduction: Frames the debate over adult neurogenesis
- Overview of Neurogenesis: Defines neurogenesis and outlines the controversy
- Debunking the Myth: Poses two guiding questions to challenge conventional wisdom
- Evidence Refuting the 'No New Neurons' Dogma: Reviews studies for and against adult neurogenesis
- Brain Processes and Factors That Drive Adult Neurogenesis: Explains structural plasticity and environmental influences on neuron growth
- Replacement of Lost Neurons in the Adult Brain: Examines whether the brain replaces neurons lost to disease
- Conclusion: Synthesizes evidence that adult neurogenesis is real
✍️ How to write this paper — guide, tools & examples ▾
What makes this paper effective
- Frames the central question clearly at the outset and uses two explicit sub-questions to organize its argument, giving readers a logical roadmap through the evidence.
- Balances competing positions fairly — presenting the "no new neurons" studies before systematically refuting them — which strengthens the credibility of the counterargument.
- Grounds abstract concepts like structural plasticity and morphological change in concrete examples (Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, hippocampal stem cells), making technical neuroscience accessible.
Key academic technique demonstrated
The paper uses a myth-busting rhetorical structure: it first establishes the conventional wisdom, acknowledges the strongest evidence supporting it, and then systematically dismantles that evidence using peer-reviewed research. This approach — conceding before rebutting — is a hallmark of effective argumentative writing in the sciences and shows intellectual honesty while strengthening the thesis.
Structure breakdown
The paper opens with a summary and introduction that define neurogenesis and state the thesis. A background section surveys the controversy. A "Debunking" section poses two organizing questions. Two evidentiary sections then answer those questions in turn: one covering brain processes and plasticity, the other covering neuron replacement. A brief conclusion synthesizes the findings. This tight question-and-answer scaffolding keeps a complex scientific argument reader-friendly throughout.
Introduction
The human brain is an adaptive organ whose cells — neurons — and their associated connections continue to change throughout life. These continuous changes enable people to acquire new skills, learn and remember, and even recuperate from brain injury. A significant percentage of brain cells are formed while in the womb, but some parts of the brain continue to create new brain cells during infancy. Traditional wisdom suggests that adults cannot grow new brain cells because of various aspects of aging. However, this issue has attracted considerable attention in the fields of psychology and neuroscience and has been the subject of numerous recent studies seeking to determine whether the brain continues to develop new cells throughout an individual's lifespan. These studies have shown that the conventional view — that adults cannot grow new brain cells — is a myth. The adult brain is characterized by processes and factors that induce morphological changes in brain areas, resulting in the creation of new brain cells, or neurons.
Overview of Neurogenesis
According to Cherry (2020), a significant percentage of brain cells are developed while we are in the womb, though some parts of the brain continue to create neurons during infancy. Neurogenesis — the creation of new brain cells — has long been characterized by the assumption that the brain has a limited capacity to regenerate. This limited-capacity view has contributed to the belief that the creation of new brain cells ceases after infancy. Consequently, scientists have continued to debate whether brains change with age but no new brain cells are developed past infancy.
Kumar et al. (2019) state that neurogenesis in adults remains a controversial issue among neuroscientists and psychologists alike. On one hand, some neuroscientists contend that a sharp decline in the creation of new brain cells occurs as the human brain ages. On the other hand, others contend that neurogenesis persists into old age, especially in the dentate gyrus (DG) of the hippocampus. Despite these differing opinions, neurogenesis remains a critical component of brain development. Given the controversies surrounding it, developing an evidence-based understanding of neurogenesis is important, since its presence or absence can affect the foundations of learning and memory in relation to aging.
Adult neurogenesis remains the most compelling phenomenon of neuroplasticity, as it takes place in the developing central nervous system. The brain has traditionally been considered a non-renewable organ — unlike most cells of the body, such as skin, gut, or blood cells, which are continuously renewed (Fuchs & Flügge, 2014). However, since some illnesses like multiple sclerosis occur in adulthood, there are legitimate concerns about whether adult brains are capable of replacing lost neurons.
References
Cherry, K. (2020, April 10). How brain cells regenerate. Retrieved September 25, 2020, from https://www.verywellmind.com/adult-neurogenesis-can-we-grow-new-brain-cells-2794885
Fuchs, E., & Flügge, G. (2014, May 4). Adult neuroplasticity: More than 40 years of research. Neural Plasticity, 2014(5), 1–10.
Gage, F. H. (2004, June). Structural plasticity of the adult brain. Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience, 6(2), 135–141.
Kumar, A., Pareek, V., Faiq, M. A., Ghosh, S. K., & Kumari, C. (2019, May 1). Adult neurogenesis in humans: A review of basic concepts, history, current research, and clinical implications. Innovations in Clinical Neuroscience, 16(5–6), 30–37.
Mandal, A. (2018, April 6). New brain cells are added in elderly adult brains too. Retrieved September 25, 2020, from https://www.news-medical.net/news/20180406/New-brain-cells-are-added-in-elderly-adult-brains-too.aspx
Netburn, D. (2018, April 5). Surprise! Scientists find signs of new brain cells in adults as old as 79. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 25, 2020, from https://www.latimes.com/science/sciencenow/la-sci-sn-new-brain-cells-20180405-story.html
Scutti, S. (2018, March 8). Your brain stopped making new cells at age 13, study claims. CNN. Retrieved September 25, 2020, from https://edition.cnn.com/2018/03/07/health/new-brain-cells-adulthood-study/index.html
Create your account
Always verify citation format against your institution’s current style guide requirements.