Hippocampal inflammation affects behavior differently in males and females

INA-  SOURCES


Inflammation in the hippocampus – the brain's memory centre – significantly alters motivation and behavior in mice, including food-seeking behaviour, with notable differences between males and females, a recent study reveals.

The hippocampus plays a crucial role in memory formation, learning and emotional regulation. Hippocampal neuroinflammation occurs in a range of diseases and disorders such as Alzheimer's, Multiple Sclerosis and Depression. 

People with these diseases often experience common symptoms such as apathy, difficulty with daily activities and changes to food preferences. These symptoms also tend to be more severe in women than in men.

"While inflammation in the hippocampus is not solely responsible for behaviour changes, it likely triggers wider brain activity that influences behaviour," said study co-author Dr Laura Bradfield, Director of the Brain and Behaviour Lab at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS).

"This research suggests that treatments targeting hippocampal neuroinflammation could help reduce cognitive and behavioural symptoms in these diseases and improve brain health, especially in women," she said.

The study, Hippocampal neuroinflammation induced by lipopolysaccharide causes sex-specific disruptions in action selection, food approach memories, and neuronal activation, was published in the journal Brain Behavior and Immunity.

Researchers induced inflammation by exposing mouse hippocampal cell cultures in the lab to lipopolysaccharide, a bacterial toxin that elicits a strong immune response.

They found the toxin only activated neurons in the presence of other types of brain cells such as microglia and astrocytes. This highlights the complex interaction between different cell types during inflammation. 




SOURCE: NEWS MEDICAL