Inflammation is detrimental for neurogenesis in adult brain

CT Ekdahl, JH Claasen, S Bonde… - Proceedings of the …, 2003 - National Acad Sciences
CT Ekdahl, JH Claasen, S Bonde, Z Kokaia, O Lindvall
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 2003National Acad Sciences
New hippocampal neurons are continuously generated in the adult brain. Here, we
demonstrate that lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation, which gives rise to microglia
activation in the area where the new neurons are born, strongly impairs basal hippocampal
neurogenesis in rats. The increased neurogenesis triggered by a brain insult is also
attenuated if it is associated with microglia activation caused by tissue damage or
lipopolysaccharide infusion. The impaired neurogenesis in inflammation is restored by …
New hippocampal neurons are continuously generated in the adult brain. Here, we demonstrate that lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation, which gives rise to microglia activation in the area where the new neurons are born, strongly impairs basal hippocampal neurogenesis in rats. The increased neurogenesis triggered by a brain insult is also attenuated if it is associated with microglia activation caused by tissue damage or lipopolysaccharide infusion. The impaired neurogenesis in inflammation is restored by systemic administration of minocycline, which inhibits microglia activation. Our data raise the possibility that suppression of hippocampal neurogenesis by activated microglia contributes to cognitive dysfunction in aging, dementia, epilepsy, and other conditions leading to brain inflammation.
National Acad Sciences