Mild inflammation causes a reduction in resting-state amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation in healthy adult males

Stefanov, K. , McLean, J., Allan, B., Cavanagh, J. and Krishnadas, R. (2020) Mild inflammation causes a reduction in resting-state amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation in healthy adult males. Brain and Neuroscience Advances, 4, pp. 1-5. (doi: 10.1177/2398212820949353)

Abstract

Systemic inflammation has been associated with negative mood states and human sickness behaviour. Previous studies have shown an association between systemic inflammation and changes in task-related blood-oxygen-level-dependent activity and functional connectivity within large-scale networks. However, no study has examined the effect of inflammation on the magnitude of blood-oxygen-level-dependent low-frequency fluctuations at rest. We used a double-blind placebo-controlled crossover design to randomise 20 male subjects (aged 20–50 years) to receive either a Salmonella typhi vaccine or a placebo saline injection at two separate sessions. All participants underwent a resting-state functional magnetic resonance scan and a measure of inflammation (interleukin 6) and mood (Profile of Mood States) 3 h after injection. We compared the whole brain amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations between the vaccine and placebo conditions using a repeated measures design. Vaccine condition was associated with greater interleukin 6 levels (p < 0.001). Vaccine condition was also associated with lower amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations in the right and left frontal pole, superior frontal gyrus, paracingulate gyrus (Cluster 1) and the right mid and inferior frontal gyrus (Cluster 2) (p < 0.001, false discovery rate corrected). Lower amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations pertaining to first cluster correlated with greater total Profile of Mood States score (worse mood) (r = −0.38; p = 0.04). These results imply possible excitation/inhibition imbalance mechanisms during inflammation that may be a relevant target in psychiatric disease, especially mood disorders.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: The study was funded by a clinical lecturer starter grant awarded to R.K. by the Academy of Medical Sciences.
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Cavanagh, Professor Jonathan and Stefanov, Mr Kristian and Krishnadas, Dr Rajeev
• Authors: Stefanov, K., McLean, J., Allan, B., Cavanagh, J., and Krishnadas, R.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity; College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Psychology & Neuroscience
• Research Centre: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity > Centre for Immunobiology
• Journal Name: Brain and Neuroscience Advances
• Publisher: SAGE Publications
• ISSN: 2398-2128
• ISSN (Online): 2398-2128
• Published Online: 19 August 2020
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2020 The Authors
• First Published: First published in Brain and Neuroscience Advances 4: 1-5
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License