Greater glucocorticoid receptor activation in hippocampus of aged rats sensitizes microglia.

ABSTRACT: Healthy aging individuals are more likely to suffer profound memory impairments following an immune challenge than are younger adults. These challenges produce a brain inflammatory response that is exaggerated with age. Sensitized microglia found in the normal aging brain are responsible for this amplified response, which in turn interferes with processes involved in memory formation. Here, we examine factors that may lead aging to sensitize microglia. Aged rats exhibited higher corticosterone levels in the hippocampus, but not in plasma, throughout the daytime (diurnal inactive phase). These elevated hippocampal corticosterone levels were associated with increased hippocampal 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 protein expression, the enzyme that catalyzes glucocorticoid formation and

SUBMITTER: Barrientos RM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4346455 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature