Memory evaluation of C3H/HeJ mice after IL-1beta treatment

• Grant number: 13/06333-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: July 01, 2013
• End date: December 31, 2013
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Pharmacology - Neuropsychopharmacology
• Principal Investigator: Débora Cristina Hipólide
• Grantee: Gustavo Eiji Tamashiro
• Host Institution: Escola Paulista de Medicina (EPM). Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP). Campus São Paulo. São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

On the last years, the research integrating immunopathology and psychobiology has increasingly shown the importance of the interaction between these two systems. Many progresses have been made by studying the modulation of cognitive functions by cytokines, and nowadays the literature indicates that the pro-inflammatory cytokines, mainly IL-1², IL-6 and TNF-±, play an important role as modulators of the central nervous system. The IL-1² in special has a widely described involvement in memory process, many studies demonstrated that the administration of low doses of IL-1² might have a beneficial effect on memory acquisition and consolidation process. In the current study we'll use a strain of C3H/HeJ mice, characterized by mutation of the Lps gene and basal cognitive impairment. In this study the animals will be treated with IL-1² in attempt to reverse their memory consolidation prejudice. The animals will be treated with low doses of IL-1² and then tested in fear conditioning task to sound and context. Quantification of the treatment effects will be made by measuring the freezing behavior. (AU)