What is the Difference Between Neural Stem Cells and Neural Progenitor Cells?

Neural stem cells (NSCs) and neural progenitor cells (NPCs) are both involved in the development and formation of neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes in the brain. However, there are key differences between the two:

1. Self-Renewal: NSCs are self-renewing, meaning they can generate new copies of themselves through cell division without limit. In contrast, NPCs have a limited proliferative ability and do not exhibit self-renewal.
2. Potential: NSCs can generate all the cell types in the brain, while NPCs have more restricted potential.
3. Cell Type: NSCs are multipotent cells that can differentiate into neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes. The non-stem cell progeny of NSCs are referred to as NPCs.
4. Developmental Stage: During development, NSCs initially expand through symmetric self-renewing divisions and later undergo asymmetric neurogenic divisions, in which one of the daughter cells remains an NSC and the other differentiates into a NPC. Over time, NPCs change their competence and produce various neuron types.

In summary, NSCs are self-renewing cells with the potential to generate all the cell types in the brain, while NPCs are their progeny with limited proliferative ability and more restricted potential.

Comparative Table: Neural Stem Cells vs Neural Progenitor Cells

Here is a table comparing the differences between neural stem cells and neural progenitor cells:

Both neural stem cells and neural progenitor cells are cells of the central nervous system and are found in the embryo as well as in the adult brain.