| Summary: | Neurogenesis and synaptogenesis, once thought to occur mainly during development, have now been established as key features of adult brain function.� Together they enable the brain to respond to both internal and external changes, giving the brain a previously unrecognised level of flexibility.� Alterations in these two features can produce improvements in cognition but are also critically involved in the pathological responses of the brain seen in many psychiatric and neurological conditions.� This volume brings together authors working on a wide range of topics to provide an up to date account of the underlying mechanisms and functions of neurogenesis and synaptogenesis in the adult brain.� Ongoing neurogenesis and alterations in synapses are required for many functions of the brain including olfaction and hippocampal dependent memory.� Increased levels of synaptogenesis and neurogenesis are key aspects of the improved cognition seen after environmental enrichment and exercise.� However, changes in these features are also critical to the pathological response of the brain to stress, depression, neurodegeneration and cytotoxic drugs.� With an increasing understanding of the role of neurogenesis and synaptogenesis it is possible to envisage improvements or novel treatments for a number of diseases and the possibility of harnessing these phenomena to reduce the impact of ageing and to provide mechanisms to repair the brain.��
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