# Dynamic neurovascular coupling in activity-induced hippocampal neurogenesis

> **NIH NIH R21** · STATE UNIVERSITY NEW YORK STONY BROOK · 2020 · $196,185

## Abstract

Newborn dentate granule cells (DGCs) are continuously generated in the adult brain. These cells integrate into
the pre-existing circuit and participate in hippocampus-engaged behaviors. The mechanism underlying how the
adult brain governs hippocampal neurogenesis remains poorly understood. In this proposal, we investigate how
coupling of pre-existing neurons to the cerebrovascular system regulates hippocampal neurogenesis. Using a
new in vivo imaging method in freely moving mice, we found that hippocampus-engaged behaviors such as
exploration in a novel environment rapidly increased microvascular blood flow velocity in the dentate gyrus. We
will examine whether blocking this exploration-elevated blood flow dampens experience-induced hippocampal
neurogenesis. We next propose to examine what molecules mediate neurovascular coupling network in the
dentate gyrus to regulate experience-induced neurogenesis in the adult brain. The findings will provide a novel
path to understand how adult brain actively control the number of newborn dentate granule cells. It will also
provide a novel approach for analyzing dynamic neurovascular coupling during behaviors and pathological
conditions including Alzheimer disease and aging.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9874497
- **Project number:** 1R21AG065864-01
- **Recipient organization:** STATE UNIVERSITY NEW YORK STONY BROOK
- **Principal Investigator:** Shaoyu Ge
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $196,185
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2020-05-01 → 2022-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9874497

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9874497, Dynamic neurovascular coupling in activity-induced hippocampal neurogenesis (1R21AG065864-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9874497. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*