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Cortical stimulation in conscious rats controls joint inflammation
Gabriel Shimizu Bassi1, Luis Ulloa2, Victor Rodrigues Santos3
1Department of Immunology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil; Translational Research Center for GastroIntestinal Disorders (TARGID), Intestinal Neuroimmune Interactions, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology & Biological Psychiatry
|March 10, 2018
Summary
Stimulating the parietal cortex in rats reduced knee joint inflammation by increasing sympathetic activity. This finding offers new therapeutic avenues for inflammatory diseases like rheumatoid arthritis.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimmunology
- Neuroscience
- Inflammation Research
Background:
- Neuronal control of the immune system is key for treating inflammatory disorders.
- Vagal nerve stimulation reduces peripheral inflammation via sympathetic pathways, but cortical involvement is underexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate cortical area activation by vagal stimulation.
- To determine if parietal cortex stimulation can reduce knee joint inflammation.
- To map common central structures activated by vagal and cortical stimulation.
Main Methods:
- Electrical stimulation of the parietal cortex in non-anesthetized rats.
- Assessment of sympathetic activity.
- Measurement of local neutrophil infiltration and pro-inflammatory cytokine levels.
- Evaluation for behavioral disturbances, epileptiform activity, or neural damage.
Main Results:
- Parietal cortex stimulation increased sympathetic activity in rats.
- Joint inflammation parameters, including neutrophil infiltration and cytokine levels, were improved.
- No adverse effects such as behavioral changes or neural damage were observed.
Conclusions:
- Parietal cortex stimulation is a safe and effective method to reduce knee joint inflammation.
- Mapping common activated brain areas reveals a 'brain immunological homunculus'.
- This approach provides novel therapeutic strategies for inflammatory joint diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis.
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