Dr. Keerthi Krishnan published an article in Nature Communications (MECP2 regulates cortical plasticity underlying a learned behavior in adult female mice). Rett syndrome is diagnosed as a neurodevelopmental disorder with behavioral, cognitive, sensory and motor difficulties in girls. It is mainly caused by mutations in the gene MECP2. It is unclear how Mecp2 mutations lead to disruption of neural circuits in early development and throughout life. This study shows in female mice heterozygous for Mecp2, that during adulthood, auditory cortex plasticity associated with a learned maternal behavior is also impaired. This study explores how brain functions related to an experience-based natural behavior affects the adult female brain, and has implications in deciphering chronic neurological disorders, diagnosed early in human development. Access to the full article at http://rdcu.be/oDdO. To find out more about Dr. Krishnan’s research, visit her website at http://bcmb.utk.edu/peoplefacultykeerthikrishnan/.