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Published on: March 31, 2016
Interleukin-1beta has a role in cerebral cortical state-dependent electroencephalographic slow-wave activity
Tadanobu Yasuda1, Hitoshi Yoshida, Fabio Garcia-Garcia
1Department of Veterinary and Comparative Anatomy, Pharmacology and Physiology, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington 99164-6520, USA.
Insights
Interleukin (IL)-1beta application to rat cortex increased electroencephalogram slow-wave activity during non-rapid eye movement sleep, suggesting enhanced sleep intensity. IL-1beta inhibition attenuated sleep rebound effects.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Sleep research
- Neuroinflammation
Background:
- Interleukin (IL)-1beta is a pro-inflammatory cytokine implicated in various brain functions.
- Its role in regulating electroencephalogram (EEG) synchronization and sleep intensity remains incompletely understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the hypothesis that IL-1beta mediates localized EEG synchronization.
- To examine the effects of IL-1beta and its inhibitor on sleep architecture and EEG activity.
Main Methods:
- Bilateral cortical EEGs were recorded in rats following unilateral local application of IL-1beta to the somatosensory cortex.
- The effects of an IL-1beta inhibitor, the IL-1 soluble receptor, were assessed on spontaneous sleep and sleep rebound after deprivation.
Main Results:
- Unilateral IL-1beta application induced state- and frequency-dependent EEG asymmetries, notably increasing slow-wave activity during non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep on the treated side.
- Neither IL-1beta nor the IL-1 soluble receptor altered total sleep duration.
- The IL-1 soluble receptor attenuated sleep deprivation-induced increases in slow-wave power during NREM sleep.
Conclusions:
- IL-1beta can induce localized, state-dependent increases in EEG delta wave power, suggesting enhanced cortical sleep intensity.
- These findings highlight a role for IL-1beta in modulating local sleep homeostasis and EEG dynamics.
Study Objectives:
To investigate the hypothesis that interleukin (IL)-1beta is involved in mediating localized electroencephalogram synchronization.
Design:
We evaluated bilateral cortical electroencephalograms after unilateral local application of IL-1beta onto the somatosensory cortex of rats. Furthermore, we investigated the effects of unilateral application of an IL-1beta inhibitor, the IL-1 soluble receptor, on spontaneous sleep and sleep rebound after sleep deprivation.
Setting:
University research laboratory.
Interventions:
N/A.
Participants:
Rats.
Measurements And Results:
Neither dose of IL-1beta or the IL-1 soluble receptor affected the duration of non-rapid eye movement sleep or rapid eye movement sleep. Unilateral application of IL-1beta induced state- and frequency-dependent electroencephalogram asymmetries. During non-rapid eye movement sleep, but not during other states, electroencephalographic slow-wave activity was greater on the side that received IL-1beta (10- and 50-ng doses). Electroencephalographic power in the higher frequencies was not affected by IL-1beta in any state. Unilateral application of the IL-1 soluble receptor (0.1, 1.0 and 5.0 microg) had no effect on the spontaneous sleep electroencephalogram. In contrast, unilateral application of the IL-1 soluble receptor (5.0 microg) attenuated sleep deprivation-enhanced electroencephalographic slow-wave power ipsilaterally during non-rapid eye movement sleep.
Conclusions:
Results suggest that IL-1beta can induce state-dependent localized increases of electroencephalographic delta wave power, suggesting an enhancement of sleep intensity within the cortex.

