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Fact or Fiction - Myth Busting
Introduction
The belief that adults are incapable of developing new neurons, or brain cells, is quite
popular and has been disseminated with the notion that no neuronal growth is possible after
attaining a certain age, which results in the degeneration of various brain functions. One of the
sources which is propagating this myth is an article by Jon (2025) with the title “Sorry, Adults,
No New Neurons for Your Aging Brains”. The article cites a study of brain samples from 59
people from different ages where it stated that there was no presence of new neurons or
immature neurons in people who were more than 13 years of age. This led to the final conclusion
that the neurogenesis does not take place in adult human beings, therefore supporting the opinion
that the adult brain is incapable of healing and adapting itself.
Fact or Myth
In the recent past, there has been evidence that contradict this and prove that
neurogenesis, which is the process of generating new neurons, occurs in adulthood. A recent
study Zanirati et al., (2023) showed that it was possible to identify new neurons in the human
hippocampus through the use of neuroimaging. The researchers established that neurogenesis is a
continuous process in adulthood but at a slower rate than in younger individuals. Similarly, a
study done for Cell Stem Cell by Zhou et al., (2022) investigated the hippocampal tissue of adult
humans using single-cell RNA sequencing and identified the neural progenitor cells and
immature neurons, indicating neurogenesis.
, 2
These observations reveal that the brain has the ability to modulate and even self-repair
itself at every stage of life. The fact of neurogenesis in the adult hippocampus indicates that there
is certain plasticity in the brain which may imply that new neurons can be incorporated into
existing circuit. This constant process may have some role in learning and memory and cognition
in general and thus does not support the previously held notion that the adult brain cannot
generate new neurons.
Assumptions Underlying the Myth
Several assumptions have continued to support the myth that it is impossible to grow new
brain cells in the adulthood. The first one is a consequence of the fact that the first extensive
studies of the human brain were conducted in the early twentieth century. Early researchers were
unable to identify neurogenesis due to the advanced equipment that would later on reveal that
neuron production stops after development. This argument was further supported by the
observation of the cognitive changes with age. Ageing of animals led to memory decline or less
efficient cognitive ability, and these changes were widely attributed to the death of neurons while
regeneration of neurons was not perceived as a possibility. Another important assumption that
was made was regarding the brain plasticity. It was formerly believed that the brain was
incapable of creating new neurons in the adulthood because of the concept of neuroplasticity was
misunderstood. Such assumptions due to ineffective research methodologies and lack of proper
knowledge have further led to the continuation of this myth even in the presence of contrary
evidences.
Empirical Evidence from Peer-Reviewed Studies
Fact or Fiction - Myth Busting
Introduction
The belief that adults are incapable of developing new neurons, or brain cells, is quite
popular and has been disseminated with the notion that no neuronal growth is possible after
attaining a certain age, which results in the degeneration of various brain functions. One of the
sources which is propagating this myth is an article by Jon (2025) with the title “Sorry, Adults,
No New Neurons for Your Aging Brains”. The article cites a study of brain samples from 59
people from different ages where it stated that there was no presence of new neurons or
immature neurons in people who were more than 13 years of age. This led to the final conclusion
that the neurogenesis does not take place in adult human beings, therefore supporting the opinion
that the adult brain is incapable of healing and adapting itself.
Fact or Myth
In the recent past, there has been evidence that contradict this and prove that
neurogenesis, which is the process of generating new neurons, occurs in adulthood. A recent
study Zanirati et al., (2023) showed that it was possible to identify new neurons in the human
hippocampus through the use of neuroimaging. The researchers established that neurogenesis is a
continuous process in adulthood but at a slower rate than in younger individuals. Similarly, a
study done for Cell Stem Cell by Zhou et al., (2022) investigated the hippocampal tissue of adult
humans using single-cell RNA sequencing and identified the neural progenitor cells and
immature neurons, indicating neurogenesis.
, 2
These observations reveal that the brain has the ability to modulate and even self-repair
itself at every stage of life. The fact of neurogenesis in the adult hippocampus indicates that there
is certain plasticity in the brain which may imply that new neurons can be incorporated into
existing circuit. This constant process may have some role in learning and memory and cognition
in general and thus does not support the previously held notion that the adult brain cannot
generate new neurons.
Assumptions Underlying the Myth
Several assumptions have continued to support the myth that it is impossible to grow new
brain cells in the adulthood. The first one is a consequence of the fact that the first extensive
studies of the human brain were conducted in the early twentieth century. Early researchers were
unable to identify neurogenesis due to the advanced equipment that would later on reveal that
neuron production stops after development. This argument was further supported by the
observation of the cognitive changes with age. Ageing of animals led to memory decline or less
efficient cognitive ability, and these changes were widely attributed to the death of neurons while
regeneration of neurons was not perceived as a possibility. Another important assumption that
was made was regarding the brain plasticity. It was formerly believed that the brain was
incapable of creating new neurons in the adulthood because of the concept of neuroplasticity was
misunderstood. Such assumptions due to ineffective research methodologies and lack of proper
knowledge have further led to the continuation of this myth even in the presence of contrary
evidences.
Empirical Evidence from Peer-Reviewed Studies
