Abstract
Recent advances in single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) have substantially deepened our understanding of adult hippocampal neurogenesis (AHN), enabling the detection of neural stem cells, progenitors, and immature neurons in postmortem human brain tissue and revealing how these populations are altered in neurological disease. Additionally, scRNA-seq enables the identification of disease-specific cell subtypes and distinct gene expression signatures associated with neurological disorders, many of which are linked to alterations in AHN and cognitive function. Such cellular- and molecular-level insights into neurological disease mechanisms provide a strong foundation for the development of targeted therapeutic strategies. Indeed, scRNA-seq has also emerged as a powerful tool in drug discovery and development across multiple disease areas, including cancer, cardiovascular disorders, and neurological conditions. In this review, we offer a comprehensive and integrative perspective on the cellular and molecular landscape of human hippocampal neurogenesis, the pathological mechanisms underlying neurological disorders, and their implications for therapeutic development.