The social environment and neurogenesis in the adult mammalian brain

Adult neurogenesis - the formation of new neurons in adulthood - has been shown to be modulated by a variety of endogenous (e.g.,trophic factors,neurotransmitters,and hormones) as well as exogenous (e.g.,physical activity and environmental complexity) factors. research on exogenous regulators of adult neurogenesis has focused primarily on the non-social environment. more recently,however,evidence has emerged suggesting that the social environment can also affect adult neurogenesis. the present review details the effects of adult-adult (e.g.,mating and chemosensory interactions) and adult-offspring (e.g.,gestation,parenthood,and exposure to offspring) interactions on adult neurogenesis. in addition,the effects of a stressful social environment (e.g.,lack of social support and dominant-subordinate interactions) on adult neurogenesis are reviewed. the underlying hormonal mechanisms and potential functional significance of adult-generated neurons in mediating social behaviors are also discussed. © 2012 lieberwirth and wang.