Mirjana Maletic-Savatic, MD, PhD, FAAP

Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Neurology, and Neuroscience

Baylor College of Medicine Principal Investigator

Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital

Host(s): Gordana Vunjak-Novakovic (Faculty), Daniel Naveed Tavakol (Postdoc)

From doubt to discovery: Unveiling human neurogenesis in vivo

Neurogenesis—the birth new neurons in the brain—is fundamental to cognitive function, emotional resilience, and brain plasticity, with profound implications for aging, neurodevelopmental and degenerative disorders, and brain repair. Yet, for decades, a critical challenge has remained: how do we reliably and non-invasively monitor neurogenesis in the live human brain? Nearly twenty years ago, we stumbled upon a mysterious spectroscopy signal linked to neural stem cells, which enabled detection of neurogenesis in humans. This discovery sparked both curiosity and skepticism. What began as a bold hypothesis has now culminated in a landmark discovery: the identification of this in vivo neurogenic biomarker: oleic acid. We found that this common fatty acid is not merely a proxy component but a key player in neurogenesis, essential for neural stem cell survival and acting as a long-sought endogenous ligand for the master regulator of neurogenesis, the Tlx/Nr2e1 receptor. Our road to this discovery was far from straightforward. Drawing inspiration from CERN's approach to detecting Higgs boson ("God’s particle"), we developed and automated an analytical algorithm capable of detecting this elusive signal with precision. Collaborating with leading centers around the world, we validated its role in neurogenesis and demonstrated its relevance in conditions such as depression. Along the way, we faced significant challenges, moments of serendipity, and scientific milestones that reshaped our understanding of neural stem cell biology. This talk will chronicle our pioneering journey, from the first spectroscopy discovery to the development of a validated neurogenic biomarker with clinical and translational potential. I will also discuss our ongoing efforts to refine and expand this approach in animal models and human studies, setting the stage for a transformative leap in how we monitor and therapeutically target neurogenesis in humans.

Relevant Publications: 

Oleic acid is a endogenous ligand of TLX/NRE2E1 that triggers hippocampal neurogenesis

Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy Identifies Neural Progenitor Cells in the Live Human Brain

Venue Information:

Speaker Location: Jerome L. Greene Science Center, Kavli Auditorium, 9th Floor Lecture Hall

The Columbia Neuroscience Seminars have been organized to help build community and collaboration among researchers interested in this broad field across campus. The in-person activities, including the talks, provide meaningful interactions for the speakers, many of whom have traveled a long way to visit Columbia. However, if you are a Columbia researcher on another campus and are unable to attend the talk at the Jerome L. Greene Science Center, please email [email protected] at least 48 hours in advance to request an individual, one-time Zoom link (livestream only, no Q&A). 

If you have a short- or long-term accommodation request (medical issue, travel, other concerns, etc.), or any other questions, please also reach out to [email protected].

Tuesdays@10 is a signature Zuckerman Institute initiative that aims to expose researchers at all levels to high-quality science and stimulate scientific discourse. The speakers featured in this series represent various fields and techniques in neuroscience, and include invited guests of the Columbia Neuroscience Seminars, the Zuckerman Institute's Local Circuits Affiliates Program, and other special seminar series through a combined, collaborative effort of one or more of the following: Columbia's Zuckerman Institute, the Center for Precision Psychiatry, the Department of Neuroscience, the Doctoral Program in Neurobiology and Behavior and the Columbia Translational Neuroscience Initiative, and with support from the Kavli Institute for Brain Science. 

More information and a full schedule can be found here.