Can the Brain Grow New Cells? A Century-Old Debate Finally Has an Answer.
一場百年的腦科學爭議
關於大腦會不會長新細胞這件事，科學家們已經爭論了快一百年！從 1980 年代開始，實驗室裡的學者們就分成兩派。支持派堅信：「人類大腦當然會長新細胞！」反對派則不以為然：「證據根本站不住腳。」這場學術界的世紀大戰，終於在最近有了令人驚喜的轉機。
研究方法：人工智慧助陣最新研究
這次科學家們用了全新的方法，AI 人工智慧技術。過去的研究方法只能看到腦細胞的表面，容易產生誤判；但這次研究直接深入基因層面，尋找只有「新生神經元」才擁有的獨特基因標記。這種革命性的研究方法，讓每一個數據都更加精準可靠。透過AI的協助，科學家們終於能夠準確辨識出新誕生的腦細胞，為這場百年爭議畫下句點。
關鍵發現：「神經新生」的秘密
答案揭曉了！大腦真的會一輩子製造新細胞。這個過程叫做「神經新生」，就像是大腦的自我更新機制。新腦細胞主要誕生在「海馬體」這個區域，它負責處理學習和記憶，可以說是大腦裡的記憶中心。具體位置在海馬體的「齒狀回」部分。所以說，大腦就像一座永不停歇的工廠，持續製造新的神經元，讓思維保持活力。
活到老學到老，大腦真的是如此！
這個發現完全顛覆了對大腦的刻板印象！以前總以為成年後大腦只會走下坡，現在才知道它其實是個精密的自我升級系統。這意味著什麼？學習真的沒有保存期限！無論是30歲想學插花、50歲想練書法，還是70歲想玩攝影，大腦都準備好了。每一次學習新事物，都可能促進新神經元的誕生。終身學習不只是個美麗的口號，而是有科學根據的生活態度。年齡從來不是阻礙，只是數字而已。
學習力其實寫在基因裡，人與人的差異很大
最讓人驚訝的發現是：每個人的神經新生能力差異極大，有些人的大腦製造新細胞的速度很快，有些人比較慢。這個差異可能相差數十倍！這解釋了為什麼有些人天生就是學霸，有些人需要更多時間和努力。學習力真的跟基因有很強的關聯——DNA就像是大腦的「出廠設定」。但這不代表命運已定，而是說每個人都有自己獨特的認知風格，找到適合自己的學習方式才是關鍵。
癲癇患者，神經新生特別活躍
研究還發現了一個有趣的現象：癲癇患者的神經新生特別活躍，製造新腦細胞的速度遠超健康人。這提醒所有人，某些腦部疾病可能與神經新生的失衡有關。未來，醫生可能會根據每個人的神經新生特徵來制定個人化的治療方案。就像現在的精準醫療一樣，很快就能針對個人的大腦特性來優化健康狀態。這對阿茲海默症、憂鬱症等疾病的治療，絕對是劃時代的突破。每個人的大腦都是獨一無二的，治療方式也應該量身定制。
A Century-Long Debate in Brain Science
For nearly a hundred years, scientists have argued over a single question:
Can the human brain generate new cells?
Since the 1980s, the academic world has been split into two camps.
One side firmly believes: “Of course the brain grows new neurons!”
The other side remains skeptical: “The evidence simply doesn’t hold up.”
This century-long standoff in neuroscience may finally have reached a breakthrough—thanks to one powerful ally: artificial intelligence.
A New Method: AI Joins the Search for Truth
In this new study, researchers used a revolutionary tool—artificial intelligence.
Traditional research methods could only observe the surface of brain cells, often leading to misinterpretations.
But this time, the scientists went deeper, analyzing genetic markers unique to newly born neurons.
By decoding gene-level signatures, they were able to identify newborn brain cells with far greater accuracy.
With AI-assisted analysis, we may finally have a reliable answer to the age-old question.
Key Discovery: The Brain’s Built-In Renewal System
And the answer is—yes.
The adult brain does continue to create new cells throughout life, through a process known as neurogenesis.
This regeneration happens primarily in the hippocampus, the brain's learning and memory hub, specifically in a region called the dentate gyrus.
In other words, the brain functions like a self-renewing factory—quietly producing fresh neurons to keep our minds sharp.
Lifelong Learning Is Biologically Real
This finding flips an old assumption on its head:
We used to think the adult brain only declined with age. Now, we know it’s actually designed to upgrade itself.
What does this mean for real life?
It means that learning has no expiration date. Whether you're 30 and taking up floral design, 50 and exploring calligraphy, or 70 and trying photography, your brain is ready.
Every time you learn something new, you’re likely triggering the birth of new neurons.
So no—lifelong learning isn’t just a catchy slogan. It’s a scientifically-backed way to live.
Age is just a number. Curiosity is the real youth serum.
Learning Ability Is Written in Your Genes
One of the most surprising findings?
People vary dramatically in their ability to generate new neurons.
Some brains produce fresh cells rapidly, while others are much slower—with up to tenfold differences between individuals.
This may help explain why some people seem like “natural learners,” while others need more time and support.
Learning ability, it turns out, has strong genetic roots.
DNA is like your brain’s default operating system.
But this doesn’t mean fate is fixed—it means everyone has a unique cognitive style, and discovering the learning method that fits you best is the real key.
An Unexpected Insight: Epilepsy Patients and Supercharged Neurogenesis
Here’s a curious twist:
People with epilepsy show extraordinary levels of neurogenesis, generating new brain cells at a much faster rate than average.
This suggests that imbalances in neurogenesis may be linked to certain brain disorders.
In the near future, doctors may be able to design personalized brain treatments based on each individual’s neurogenesis profile—just like precision medicine today.
This breakthrough could transform how we treat conditions like Alzheimer’s, depression, and more.
Because every brain is unique—and our treatments should be too.
