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Repeated experience drives multiscale engram reorganization to shape memory strength and precision

Kim, M.; Suh, B.; Jeong, Y.; So, S.; Choi, J. W.; Hwang, J.; Park, J.; Han, J.-H.

2026-02-03 neuroscience
10.64898/2026.02.01.703091 bioRxiv
Show abstract

How memories are shaped by repeated experiences remains unclear. Reorganization of memory engram could underlie memory transformation. Here, by combining c-Fos-based engram cell tagging with optogenetics, spine imaging, and reactivation analyses in the dentate gyrus (DG) and medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), we discovered a distinct system-wide engram reorganization following repeated learning; that is, a reshuffling of engram cells in the DG, as well as the rapid maturation of mPFC engram cells, forming a dual engram distributed within the hippocampal-mPFC network. These mPFC engram cells were crucial for relearning-dependent enhancement of memory precision. In addition, we found that reactivation of DG engram cells during retraining is critical for engram reorganization-dependent memory strengthening. These findings establish a causal link between engram reorganization and memory transformation by relearning.

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