Why Would the Brain Need Dormant Neuronal Precursors?

Dormant non-proliferative neuronal precursors (dormant precursors) are a unique type of undifferentiated neuron, found in the adult brain of several mammalian species, including humans. Dormant precursors are fundamentally different from canonical neurogenic- niche progenitors as they are generated exquisitely during the embryonic development and maintain a state of protracted postmitotic immaturity lasting up to several decades after birth. Recently, transgenic models allowed to reveal that with age virtually all dormant precursors progressively awaken, abandon the immature state, and become fully functional neurons.

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  Very recent breakthroughs demonstrated the progressive maturation and functional integration of dormant precursors as excitatory principal neurons in the murine olfactory cortex.
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  Former dormant precursors become capable of repetitive action potential firing and receive increasing amount of synaptic input.
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  Sub-populations of dormant precursors exhibit distinctive markers, suggesting that these cells constitute a heterogeneous pool and that may fulfill multiples roles.