Neuronal Self-Repair Following Cerebral Ischemic Insults

Neurogenesis continues throughout adulthood in the central nervous system in mammals. Cerebral ischemia induces neurogenesis in the subventricular zone and dentate gyrus. New neurons migrate to the granule cell layer of dentate gyrus or to the damaged CA1 region and striatum, where they differentiate into mature neurons and re-establish connections. Ischemic insults also promote axonal sprouting in ischemic penumbra. Neurogenesis and axonal sprouting may contribute to functional recovery after cerebral ischemia.