In our blog “Disclosure 13” entitled “The origin of the eye and Central Nervous System” of April 25, 2011 we wrote: “The origin of the eye is the origin of the Central Nervous System (CNS) and it is a key factor in explaining the functioning of the brain.

Recently, a study of the researcher Pierre-Marie Lledo, researcher of the unit of “perception et mémoire” of the “Institut Pasteur” and the CNRS, has been published about “neo-neurons or new neurons formed in the adult mammalian brain. Contrary to accept to date, developed brains are capable of producing new neurons in adulthood. Scientists have found that light stimulation (not electric stimulation, as had been used so far) enable the cognitive function of newborn neurons using an experimental dispositive that combines the tools of Optics with knowledge of genetics (“Optogenetics”) to produce and become sensitive to the proteins expressed in new neurons.

Just as in the beginning of the evolution of the Central Nervous System, when the presence of accumulated rhodopsins in the first couple of nervous chain ganglia stimulated the development of cranial nerves II, IV, V and VI causing cell specialization which allowed the emergence of the pituitary gland and brain (Disclosure 7: “Rodhopsins: Proteins of Reception” December 3, 2010 and Disclosure 17: “Chain Ganglia of the Brainstem: the origin of the cranial nerves”, from August 1st 2011) the same mechanism acts in the mature brain. The light stimulates the production of new cells in the cranial nerves connected with the second cranial nerve (Optic Nerve)

This finding is an evidence of the relationship between anatomy and physiology of the existing organs with their phylogenetic origin and opens important perspectives in the treatment and especially prevention of neurodegenerative diseases.