Discovery of Neuroplasticity

Neuroscience & Behavior 1998

Discoverers: Peter Eriksson, Fred Gage

Overview

Demonstration that new neurons are generated in the adult human hippocampus, overturning the century-old dogma that the adult brain cannot produce new nerve cells.

Significance

Showed the brain retains regenerative capacity throughout life, with implications for treating neurodegenerative diseases and brain injuries.

Methodology

Post-mortem analysis of cancer patients who had received BrdU (a thymidine analogue) for diagnostic purposes, detecting newly born neurons in the hippocampus.

Impact