Interleukin-1β with learning and memory

Abstract

Abstract:Interleukin-1 (IL-1) is one of the first cytokines ever described. It has long been recognized to play an important role in mediating inflammation and orchestrating the physiological and behavioral adjustments that occur during sickness.Recently, accumulating evidence has indicated that IL-1 also adversely affects cognitive function. Nevertheless, there are also some reports showing no effects or even beneficial effects of IL-1 on learning and memory. The relationship between IL-1 and cognitive impairment has not been clearly elucidated. Here we reviewed the evidence of both negative and positive effects of IL-1 on learning and memory, and the key factors that may affect the effects of IL-1 on learning and memory were discussed.

Volume of the hippocampal subfields in healthy adults: differential associations with age and a pro-inflammatory genetic variant

“…Pro-inflammatory cytokines of the interleukin family play many diverse roles in development, maintenance and aging of the brain, and in particular, the hippocampus. Because of their involvement in plasticity, synaptic pruning, and neurogenesis (Arisi 2014; Graeber et al 2011; Huang and Sheng 2010; Yirmiya and Goshen 2011), it is premature to infer what aspect of IL-1β is central to the influence on hippocampal volume observed in this cross-sectional study. Although several longitudinal studies have confirmed the progressive (and probably accelerated) nature of age-related hippocampal shrinkage (see Raz and Kennedy 2009 for a review), at the time of this writing, there are no longitudinal studies of hippocampal subfield volumes in normal adults.…”

AIM 2 inflammasomes regulate neuronal morphology and influence anxiety and memory in mice

“…It is not clear if there is complex interplay between these different subunits, which could manifest in altered mouse behavior. It may also explain why many controversial results were observed for the IL-1 study45. Moreover, AIM2 is just one of various inflammasome sensors that processes pro-IL-1β and Aim2 deletion can only impair IL-1β production in response to dsDNA and perhaps only in a subset of cell types.…”

Cytokine alterations and cognitive impairment in major depressive disorder: From putative mechanisms to novel treatment targets

“…Under experimental conditions, IL-1β mRNA expression occurs mainly within cortical regions (parietal and frontal cortex), hippocampus, hypothalamus, thalamic nuclei, pituitary gland and cerebellum after administration of LPS (Eriksson et al, 2000;Gabellec et al, 1995). Injection of IL-1β results in impairment of hippocampal-dependent learning and memory as well as long-term potentiation in animal models (Huang and Sheng, 2010). Emerging evidence also indicates the involvement of IL-1β in neurogenesis (McAfoose and Baune, 2009).…”