Inflammation in the hippocampus, the area of the brain responsible for memory, greatly impacts motivation and behavior in mice, with distinct differences observed between male and female responses, as highlighted by a recent study.
Inflammation in the hippocampus — an essential region of the brain related to memory — greatly influences motivation and behavior in mice, particularly in their food-seeking actions, with marked differences between genders, according to a recent study.
The hippocampus is vital for forming memories, learning, and managing emotions. Neuroinflammation in this area is linked to various conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, Multiple Sclerosis, and Depression.
Individuals suffering from these conditions often experience overlapping symptoms such as lack of interest, difficulties in daily tasks, and changes in dietary habits, which tend to be more pronounced in women compared to men.
“While inflammation in the hippocampus isn’t the sole cause of changes in behavior, it likely triggers broader brain activity that affects behavior,” explained Dr. Laura Bradfield, a co-author of the study and Director of the Brain and Behaviour Lab at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS).
“Our research indicates that targeting neuroinflammation in the hippocampus could help alleviate cognitive and behavioral issues in these conditions and enhance brain health, particularly for women,” she added.
The study titled “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 in the lab by treating mouse hippocampal cell cultures with lipopolysaccharide, a bacterial toxin that triggers a robust immune response.
The research revealed that the toxin activated neurons only when other brain cells, like microglia and astrocytes, were present, indicating a complex interaction among different cell types during inflammation.
To assess changes in behavior, the researchers injected lipopolysaccharide directly into the hippocampus of mice and monitored their activities and food-seeking behaviors.
They found that neuroinflammation heightened movement and activity in both males and females, but it notably intensified food-seeking behavior in females.
Lead author Dr. Kiruthika Ganesan, who has recently completed her PhD at UTS, emphasized the need to consider sex-specific responses when creating treatments for neurological disorders.
“Our findings offer new insights into how neuroinflammation impacts brain function, potentially leading to innovative therapies that tackle the cognitive and behavioral symptoms associated with various diseases,” she stated.
“We anticipate that future research will delve into the mechanisms behind these sex-specific responses, particularly the role of hormones such as estrogen, and their effects on brain health.”
