Astrocyte-derived neurons provide excitatory input to the adult striatal circuitry

Significance The adult mammalian brain has a poor regenerative capacity. Astrocytes have the potential to enter a neurogenic program, which could supply new neurons to the adult brain. In the adult striatum, reduced Notch signaling in astrocytes leads to the generation of neurons. However, it has been unclear whether striatal astrocyte-derived neurons become integrated and which neuronal properties they possess. Here, we show that induced adult neurogenesis by striatal astrocytes leads to the generation of glutamatergic neurons that functionally integrate into the adult striatal circuitry. The integration of glutamatergic neurons provides a local source of excitation to the striatum that could potentially compensate for reduced excitatory input due to aging or disease.