Systemic Inflammation and Neurodegenerative Disease
Author Information
Author(s): Colm Cunningham, Suzanne Campion, Kate Lunnon, Carol L. Murray, Jack F.C. Woods, Robert M.J. Deacon, J. Nicholas P. Rawlins, V. Hugh Perry
Primary Institution: Trinity College Dublin
Hypothesis
A systemic inflammatory episode induced by bacterial endotoxin in animals with prion disease would induce exaggerated inflammatory and sickness behavioral responses and acute cognitive impairment.
Conclusion
Transient systemic inflammation exacerbates cognitive and motor symptoms of neurodegenerative disease and accelerates disease progression.
Supporting Evidence
- Systemic inflammation caused exaggerated impairments in burrowing and locomotor activity in prion-diseased animals.
- LPS injection resulted in increased levels of inflammatory cytokines in prion-diseased mice.
- Acute cognitive impairments were observed in prion-diseased animals after LPS treatment.
Takeaway
When sick mice get a shot that makes them more inflamed, they act even sicker and their brain problems get worse faster.
Methodology
Mice were injected with lipopolysaccharide to mimic systemic infection, and their behavioral and cognitive responses were measured.
Potential Biases
Potential bias in interpreting results due to the specific animal model used.
Limitations
The study primarily used a single animal model and may not fully represent human conditions.
Participant Demographics
Female C57BL/6 mice were used in the study.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.05
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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