Effects of environmental enrichment on the hippocampal microglial profile under neuroinflammatory conditions: A systematic review - PubMed
5 hours ago
- #Microglia
- #Neuroinflammation
- #Environmental enrichment
- Environmental enrichment (EE) promotes neurogenesis and synaptic plasticity.
- EE modulates neuroinflammation by altering microglial phenotypes between proinflammatory (M1-like) and reparative/homeostatic (M2-like) states.
- The hippocampus is highly vulnerable to inflammatory insults and is a key target for EE effects.
- A systematic review of 15 studies (2013-2024) found EE reduces microglial density and M1 markers while upregulating M2 markers.
- EE suppresses proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α) and pathways (NLRP3, NF-κB p65, IκB-α).
- Morphological and functional shifts in microglia include ramified/phagocytic states and reparative, homeostatic, and phagocytic profiles.
- EE promotes a neuroprotective microglial phenotype, attenuating inflammation and aiding repair in neuropathologies.
- Findings suggest EE has translational potential for lifestyle-based interventions in neuroinflammatory disorders.