Calcium and Neural Stem Cell Proliferation

Intracellular calcium plays a pivotal role in central nervous system (CNS) development by regulating various processes such as cell proliferation, migration, differentiation, and maturation. However, understanding the involvement of calcium (Ca²⁺) in these processes during CNS development is challenging due to the dynamic nature of this cation and the evolving cell populations during development. While Ca²⁺ transient patterns have been observed in specific cell processes and molecules responsible for Ca²⁺ homeostasis have been identified in excitable and non-excitable cells, further research into Ca²⁺ dynamics and the underlying mechanisms in neural stem cells (NSCs) is required. This review focuses on molecules involved in Ca²⁺ entrance expressed in NSCs in vivo and in vitro, which are crucial for Ca²⁺ dynamics and signaling. It also discusses how these molecules might play a key role in balancing cell proliferation for self-renewal or promoting differentiation. These processes are finely regulated in a time-dependent manner throughout brain development, influenced by extrinsic and intrinsic factors that directly or indirectly modulate Ca²⁺ dynamics. Furthermore, this review addresses the potential implications of understanding Ca²⁺ dynamics in NSCs for treating neurological disorders. Despite significant progress in this field, unraveling the elements contributing to Ca²⁺ intracellular dynamics in cell proliferation remains a challenging puzzle that requires further investigation.