Persistent cognitive deficits and neuroinflammation in a rat model of cardiopulmonary bypass

Suppression of Neuroinflammation Attenuates Persistent Cognitive and Neurogenic Deficits in a Rat Model of Cardiopulmonary Bypass

“…Increasing evidence also implicates a key role for neuroinflammation in POCD ( Krenk et al, 2010 ; Hovens et al, 2012 ; Van Harten et al, 2012 ; Safavynia and Goldstein, 2019 ; Jorna et al, 2020 ), but the manner in which neuroinflammation produces cognitive deficits in POCD remains a matter of discussion. One hypothesis as to how neuroinflammation might contribute to POCD is that activated microglia impair adult neurogenesis in the hippocampus leading to behavioral dysfunction ( Hovens et al, 2014 , 2016 ; Wang et al, 2020 ). Previous evidence has shown that chemically induced neuroinflammation can impair neurogenesis in the adult brain ( Ekdahl et al, 2003 ).…”

Commentary: Neurocognitive dysfunction after cardiopulmonary bypass: Multiple modalities to rescue the microglia

“…4,5 Furthermore, rodent models have suggested that impaired neurogenesis may also contribute to this pathogenesis. 4,5 The study by Wang and colleagues 6 in this issue of the Journal highlights the central role of inflammation in this setting. In a rat model of cardiopulmonary bypass, the investigators demonstrated that persistent microglial inflammation correlated with neurocognitive dysfunction.…”

“…Detailed histology also revealed decreased neurogenesis in the hippocampus. 6 These findings suggest that central inflammation and disrupted neurogenesis are likely mechanisms in cognitive injury from cardiopulmonary bypass. [4][5][6] How might these observations guide further progress in cognitive rescue for our patients?…”

“…6 These findings suggest that central inflammation and disrupted neurogenesis are likely mechanisms in cognitive injury from cardiopulmonary bypass. [4][5][6] How might these observations guide further progress in cognitive rescue for our patients? Avoiding cardiopulmonary bypass in coronary artery bypass grafting has not abolished cognitive injury, despite anaortic techniques and ancillary carbon dioxide.…”

“…This elegant study has focused attention on microglial inflammation as a potent target for cognitive rescue after cardiopulmonary bypass. 6 Although inflammatory blockade can improve cognition, multiple anti-inflammatory drugs have failed in highquality clinical trials. 1,2,13 In the case of steroids, 2 multicenter trials reported little clinical benefit in adult cardiac surgical patients, including neurocognitive function.…”