SVZ

Subventricular zone, or SVZ, is a region located along the walls of the lateral ventricles in the mammalian brain. It is the primary site of ongoing postnatal neurogenesis in many species and is closely associated with the ventricular system. The SVZ contains a heterogeneous cell population that includes neural stem cells, progenitor cells, neuroblasts, and supporting glial cells, set within a specialized ependymal lining that helps organize the ventricular surface.

In the classic mammalian SVZ, neural stem cells (often described as type B cells) exhibit astrocyte-like properties and give rise to transient amplifying progenitors (type C cells), which in turn generate neuroblasts (type A cells). These neuroblasts migrate away from the ventricle in chains along the rostral migratory stream toward the olfactory bulb, where they differentiate primarily into interneurons. Ependymal cells line the ventricular surface and contribute to the microenvironment that regulates progenitor behavior. The organization and exact lineage dynamics can vary among species and developmental stage.

Adult neurogenesis in the SVZ shows notable species differences and remains a subject of debate in humans. In many animals, the SVZ continues to produce new neurons throughout life, though the rate and migratory patterns can decline with age. The SVZ is also studied for its potential involvement in brain repair after injury and its possible connections to certain pathologies, including tumors that may arise from SVZ-derived cells.