One of these precursor locations of stem cells is in the a region called the subventricular zone. The photo to the right shows the location of the subventricular zone (also known as the SVZ). Cells in the SVZ surrounding the lateral ventricles of the postnatal forebrain generate not only glial cells but variable proportions of neurons. However, progenitor cells in the anterior part of the neonatal subventricular zone (SVZa) act as a huge, pure source of neurons. All of this zone’s progeny are destined to be interneurons of the granule cell and glomerular layers of the olfactory bulb. These cells go through a highly restrictive pathway from which they hardly ever veer. (On a side note, the migration of these neurons to the olfactory bulb is strangely un-guided by glial fibers.)
Why Worry About Where Neural Cells Come From?
Once stem cell differentiation is more fully understood as a complete
process, the SVZa region could become a highly pure source of neural progenitor
cells that could be used in a variety of disease
fighting methods. (31)
The SVZa region is located in the mesencephalic floor (tegmentium) (1)
