Neuroinvasion and cognitive impairment in comorbid alcohol dependence and chronic viral infection: An initial investigation.
- Resource Type
- Article
- Authors
- Loftis, Jennifer M.; Taylor, Jonathan; Hudson, Rebekah; Firsick, Evan J.
- Source
- Journal of Neuroimmunology. Oct2019, Vol. 335, pN.PAG-N.PAG. 1p.
- Subject
- *VIRUS diseases
*LYMPHOCYTIC choriomeningitis virus
*ALCOHOL drinking
*CENTRAL nervous system
*ALCOHOL
*MAZE tests
- Language
- ISSN
- 0165-5728
Viruses that invade the central nervous system (CNS) can cause neuropsychiatric impairments. Similarly, chronic alcohol exposure can induce inflammatory responses that alter brain function. However, the effects of a chronic viral infection and comorbid alcohol use on neuroinflammation and behavior are not well-defined. We investigated the role of heavy alcohol intake in regulating inflammatory responses and behavioral signs of cognitive impairments in mice infected with lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) clone 13. LCMV-infected mice exposed to alcohol had increased peripheral inflammation and impaired cognitive function (as indicated by performance on the novel object recognition test). Initial findings suggest that brain region-specific dysregulation of microglial response to viral infection may contribute to cognitive impairments in the context of heavy alcohol use. Unlabelled Image • LCMV clone 13 infection and alcohol consumption alter liver enzymes and lipids. • Heavy alcohol use potentiates microglia activation in response to LCMV infection. • Cognitive performance is impaired following alcohol exposure and LCMV infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]