Extended Data Fig. 6. Activity of adult-born neurons is critical for memory retrieval.

(a) Experimental protocol for acute chemogenetic activation of adult-born neurons during behavioral tests.

(b) Representative confocal images of mCitrine+ hM3Dq+ cells in the DG of the Ascl1-hM3Dq or hM3Dq mice. mCitrine+ cells, indicating hM3Dq+ newborn neurons, were found in Ascl1-hM3Dq mice, but not hM3Dq mice. Scale bar = 100 µm.

(c–d) Diagram of NPR (C) and CFC (D) tests.

(e) Chemogenetic activation of adult-born neurons during memory retrieval increased the discrimination ratio in the NPR test. n = 14 mice for each group, P = 0.0484 by two-sided unpaired t-test.

(f–i) Freezing time in the context-A at 2 h (f), 24 h (g), in the context-B at 24 h (h), and in the context-A at 7 days (i) after chemogenetic activation of adult-born neurons. CNO 0.5 mg/kg was administrated by i.p. injection 30 mins before memory retrieval tests. n = 13 mice for hM3 group, n = 12 mice for Ascl1-hM3 group, two-sided unpaired t-test, f: P = 0.5764, g: P = 0.0494, h: P = 0.6726, i: P = 0.0470, respectively.

(j) Experimental protocol for acute chemogenetic inhibition of adult-born neurons during behavioral tests.

(k) Representative confocal images of HA+ hM4Di+ cells in the DG of Ascl1-hM4Di or hM4Di mice. Scale bar = 100 µm.

(l) Chemogenetic inhibition of adult-born neurons decreased the discrimination ratio in the NPR test. n = 7 mice for each group, P = 0.0202 by two-sided unpaired t-test.

(m–p) Chemogenetic inhibition of adult-born neurons did not change the freezing time in the CFC test. CNO 1 mg/kg was administrated by i.p. injection 30 mins before memory retrieval tests. m–o: n = 13 mice for hM4 group, n = 9 mice for Ascl1-hM4 group. p: n = 6 mice for hM4 group, n = 7 mice for Ascl1-hM4 group, two-sided unpaired t-test, m: P = 0.9992, n: P = 0.7913, o: P = 0.8472, p: P = 0.9567, respectively.