Forniceal deep brain stimulation improves memory in Rett syndrome mice by promoting the maturation of newborn hippocampal neurons.

Chronic forniceal deep brain stimulation in MeCP2-loss-of-function Rett syndrome mice promotes maturation and integration of newborn dentate granule cells, improving learning and memory.

• Why it matters: DBS is linked to increased hippocampal neurogenesis and memory benefits, but the causal mechanism and how newborn neurons mature remain unclear.
• What they did: In Rett syndrome mice, the team tested whether suppressing hippocampal neurogenesis blocks DBS benefits, and assessed newborn dentate granule cell development, synaptogenesis, and long-term synaptic plasticity.
• The result: Suppressing neurogenesis prevented DBS-linked learning and memory improvement; DBS rescued dendritic arborization, synaptogenesis, and long-term synaptic plasticity by increasing protein level and shifting KCC2 phosphorylation to restore GABAergic signaling maturation.