REVIEW article
Front. Psychiatry
Sec. Mood Disorders
This article is part of the Research TopicNew horizons in stroke management: Volume IIView all 15 articles
Decreased hippocampal neurogenesis and post-stroke depression
Provisionally accepted
- Shenzhen Nanshan People's Hospital, Shenzhen, China
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ABSTRACT Post-stroke depression (PSD) is a common and serious complication following stroke, affecting approximately one-third of survivors and contributing to poor functional recovery. Its pathophysiology is multifactorial, with recent evidence highlighting decreased hippocampal neurogenesis as a key mechanistic contributor. This review aims to examine the specific role of hippocampal neurogenesis in PSD, focusing on (1) the evidence linking impaired neurogenesis to PSD onset, (2) the underlying molecular and cellular mechanisms—including dysregulation of the hypothalamic–pituitary– adrenal(HPA) axis, neuroinflammation, altered neurotrophic signaling, and neurotransmitter disturbances—and (3) current and emerging therapeutic strategies that promote neurogenesis for PSD management. Pharmacological agents (e.g., antidepressants), neuroregulatory interventions, and lifestyle-based approaches show promise in restoring neurogenic activity and alleviating depressive symptoms. In conclusion, impaired hippocampal neurogenesis represents a central pathway in PSD pathogenesis, offering a valuable target for future research and therapeutic development. Further studies are needed to fully elucidate these mechanisms and translate neurogenesis-focused treatments into clinical practice.
Keywords: Antidepressants, Hippocampus, Neurogenesis, Neuroregulation, post-stroke depression, Treatment
Received: 05 Dec 2025; Accepted: 16 Feb 2026.
Copyright: © 2026 Tang, Ran and Li. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
* Correspondence: Wenfei Li
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