Corticosteroid treatment during sepsis influences hippocampal function in survivors
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ABSTRACT: Millions of sepsis survivors annually face long-term neuropsychiatric sequelae of their illness. Corticosteroids are frequently administered in sepsis, and their use affects neuropsychiatric outcomes, but the mechanisms are unknown. We used the cecal ligation and puncture method to induce acute infection in mice and test the hypothesis that corticosteroid treatment during illness has long-term effects on hippocampal function. Functional phenotyping and hippocampal RNA-sequencing were performed in the same survivor mice to identify underlying mechanisms of behavioral and neuroendocrine outcomes. Long-term CLP survivors exhibited anxiety-like behavior, increased central hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activity, and persistent systemic and neuro-inflammation. The relationship between gene expression and behavior suggested a protective role for inflammation and oxidative metabolism after CLP. Corticosterone treatment during illness had distinct effects on hippocampal function in survivors, including object memory impairment. The long-term behavioral effects of corticosterone treatment were associated with persistent downregulation of activity-dependent gene expression in the hippocampus. The results suggest that corticosteroid treatment for sepsis influences hippocampal function in survivors via long-lasting changes to basal hippocampal activity. Neural activity, inflammation, and oxidative metabolism should be explored as future treatment targets to modify neuropsychiatric outcomes in sepsis survivors.
ORGANISM(S): Mus musculus
PROVIDER: GSE225868 | GEO | 2023/07/31
REPOSITORIES: GEO
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