Abstract
New neurons are generated in the dentate gyrus of the adult brain throughout life. They incorporate in the granular cell layer of the dentate gyrus and integrate in the hippocampal circuitry. Increasing evidence suggests that new neurons play a role in learning and memory. In turn, a large body of evidence suggests that neurogenesis is impaired in Alzheimer's disease, contributing to memory deficits characterizing the disease. We outline here current knowledge about the biology of adult hippocampal neurogenesis and its function in learning and memory. In addition, we discuss evidence that neurogenesis is dysfunctional in Alzheimer's disease, address the controversy in the literature concerning the persistence of hippocampal neurogenesis in the adult and aging human brain, and evaluate the therapeutic potential of neurogenesis-based drug development for the treatment of cognitive deficits in Alzheimer's disease.