Deep brain stimulation for Rett syndrome
Official title: Studying the effects and mechanisms of deep brain stimulation in Rett syndrome mice
Funded at Baylor College of Medicine · NIH-11159649 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are testing whether deep brain stimulation can stimulate new brain cells and improve memory and movement for people with Rett syndrome.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Baylor College of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2018 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $383,179 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NS100738-08 |
| Project ID | NIH-11159649 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal future trial candidates would be people with a confirmed diagnosis of Rett syndrome who have disabling memory or motor symptoms and are otherwise medically stable for neurosurgical evaluation.
✕Less likely to help
People without Rett syndrome or individuals who are not candidates for surgical intervention or have contraindications to DBS are unlikely to benefit from this approach.
What this research studies
This project uses mouse models of Rett syndrome to study how electrical stimulation of specific brain pathways (forniceal and basal ganglia targets) changes the brain and behavior. The team applies deep brain stimulation over days to weeks and measures newborn neuron production, their maturation and integration into hippocampal circuits, and related memory improvements. They also probe how stimulation of basal ganglia regions affects motor function when neurogenesis is not present. Experiments combine electrical stimulation, cellular markers of new neurons, and behavioral memory and motor tests to link biological changes to functional outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point toward DBS approaches that improve memory and motor symptoms in people with Rett syndrome.
How similar studies have gone: Related DBS work showed memory improvement in an Alzheimer’s study and the investigators previously rescued hippocampal memory with forniceal DBS in Rett syndrome mice, but the exact mechanisms and human benefit remain unproven.
Where this research is happening
-
Baylor College of Medicine
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Tang, Jianrong — Baylor College of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Tang, Jianrong
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.