How age modulates effects of inflammation on brain and cognition
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Towards a mechanistic understanding of how age increases susceptibility to inflammation-induced cognitive disturbance
IRAS ID
273755
Contact name
Neil Harrison
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Cardiff Universtity
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
Anyone who has experienced an infection knows what it means to feel sick. Infection anywhere in the body triggers an inflammatory response, and by actions on the brain, induces a cluster of mood, motivational and cognitive changes known collectively as 'sickness behaviour'. Fortunately, sickness symptoms such as fatigue, low mood and impaired memory are mild and self-limiting. However, when immune responses are severe or chronic, they can result in major mental health disorders like depression and accelerate progression of Alzheimer’s Disease. For reasons that are currently unclear, older people appear more susceptible to the cognitively impairing effects of inflammation.
This study aims to clarify why some, particularly older people, are more susceptible to the acute cognitive and motivationally impairing effects of inflammation. We will do this by combining advanced brain imaging and immune analyses before and after a carefully controlled and widely used immune challenge that briefly activates the immune system. Recognition that actions of the immune system on the brain can profoundly alter behaviour has motivated development of novel immune-targeted drugs for use in mental health. Results from the current study will play an important role in helping inform this development, ultimately benefitting people suffering from some of the most common and serious mental illnesses.
REC name
London - Camden & Kings Cross Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
20/LO/0239
Date of REC Opinion
20 Apr 2020
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion