Asthma signaling in learning and memory impairment 4064

Abstract Description Asthma induces type 2 cytokines in the lungs and bloodstream and is increasingly recognized as a risk factor for accelerated cognitive decline and heightened neurobiological markers of dementia. Using a mouse model of asthma induced by intratracheal administration of house dust mite (HDM), we found that pulmonary inflammation impairs spatial learning and memory. This inflammation also alters cytokine levels in the brain, indicating a rupture in the brain function and suggesting a direct impact on cognitive processes. These findings provide strong evidence supporting the concept of a lung-brain axis, where immune responses in the lungs influence brain activity and behavior. Collectively, this research highlights a plausible mechanism linking asthma to an increased risk of dementia, emphasizing the need for further studies to explore therapeutic strategies targeting pulmonary inflammation to mitigate its impact on brain health. Such insights could open avenues for preventing or slowing cognitive decline in asthmatic individuals. Funding Sources UVA - P2PE Seed Grant ;FAPESP - 2024/13576-2 Topic Categories Neuroimmunology (NEUR)