Learning, Neurogenesis and Effects of Flavonoids on Learning

Abstract: Learning and memory are two of our mind's most magical abilities. Different brain regions have roles to process and store different types of memories. The hippocampus is the part of the brain responsible for receiving information and storing it in the neocortex. One of the most impressive characteristics of the hippocampus is its capacity for neurogenesis which is a process, new neurons are produced and then transformed into mature neurons and integrated into neural circuits. The neurogenesis process in the hippocampus, an example of neuroplasticity in the adult brain, is believed to aid hippocampal-dependent learning and memory. New neurons are constantly produced in the hippocampus and integrated into the pre-existing neuronal network, this allows old memories already stored in the neocortex to be removed from the hippocampus and replaced with new ones. Factors affecting neurogenesis in the hippocampus may also affect hippocampal-dependent learning and memory. The flavonoids can exert particularly powerful actions in mammalian cognition and improve hippocampaldependent learning and memory by positively affecting hippocampal neurogenesis.