How do neural stem cells create new neurons?

Neural stem cells create new neurons via a process known as neurogenesis. This is a complex process that occurs mostly during embryonic development and gives rise to different types of neurons in the brain. Neurogenesis continues in certain regions of the brain after birth and into adult life. 

The diversity of neurons in the brain is a result of highly regulated neurogenesis when the embryo is developing. The process occurs over several stages. 

1. In the first stage, the neural stem cells divide indefinitely to produce a large number of stem cells. 
2. In the second stage, the stem cells differentiate into neural progenitor cells, which start to acquire the characteristics of mature neurons. This is a transient stage between stem cells and fully formed neurons. 
3. In the third stage, the neural progenitor cells differentiate further to develop specific types of neurons that have the distinctive features of mature neurons.