Research on mice suggests that inhaling menthol may improve cognitive abilities and reduce inflammation associated with Alzheimer's disease. The study found a reduction in the IL-1β protein and potential links to T regulatory cells, offering a novel avenue for Alzheimer's therapies.
New research reveals that chronic brain inflammation can directly lead to repetitive behaviors, often seen in conditions like autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The study, conducted on mice with a mutated NLRP3 gene, found that inflammation activated microglia, leading to IL-1β release and overstimulation of NMDA glutamate receptors, resulting in anxiety and repetitive actions. FDA-approved drugs memantine and interleukin-1RA were shown to normalize brain activity and stop these behaviors.
