Abstract:  Adult hippocampal neurogenesis is a process of generating functional new neurons from neural precursors in the subgranular zone of the adult dentate gyrus. Exposure to severe stressful events early in life impairs adult hippocampal neurogenesis and disrupts learning and memory. Accumulating evidence has shown that glucocorticoid and its receptors play fundamental roles in the negative effects of early-life stress on adult hippocampal neurogenesis, yet the exact mechanisms and mediators remain to be investigated. Here, we highlight the potential roles of key stress mediators, including corticotropin-releasing hormone and its receptors, in modulating the negative effects of early-life stress on adult hippocampal neurogenesis and hippocampal plasticity.

Key words: early-life stress, dentate gyrus, neurogenesis, glucocorticoid, corticotropin-releasing hormone