Understanding the Mechanism Involved in Immune-mediated Cognitive Functioning

Cytokines and chemokines influence cognitive functioning but little is understood about the mechanisms involved. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of CXCL12/CXCR4 signaling on the different phases of neurogenesis and its relationship to learning and memory using adult male Wistar rats (n=72). A unique biobehavioral design was used to evaluate the different stages of neurogenesis with immunostaining markers and to assess hippocampal-dependent learning and memory through behavioral performance in the water maze and Y-maze. Results from behavioral testing demonstrated that CXCR4 antagonism significantly decreased spatial learning and short-term temporal order memory; however, the results regarding neurogenesis as the mechanism associated with these memory impairments were inconclusive due to the study’s limitations. Future studies are needed that are powered and optimized to detect differences in the stages of neurogenesis and that optimally inhibit or enhance CXCL12 signaling function. Identifying the mechanisms involved in immune-mediated cognitive functioning will identify the targets for therapeutic modulation to optimize learning and memory, especially when impairments sequela disease and injury.