Intracerebroventricular injections of endotoxin (ET) reduces hippocampal neurogenesis

Physio-pathological conditions such as neuroinflammation can modulate neurogenesis in the hippocampus. The aim of this study is to follow the time course of inflammation-induced effects on the neurogenic niche and the counter-effects of an anti-inflammatory drug. Rats received intracerebroventricular injections of lipopolysaccharide/endotoxin (ET) and intraperitoneal injections of 5′-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine, then perfused at different time intervals. At day 3, ET injection resulted in thermal hyperalgesia accompanied by a significant decrease in neurogenesis. A rebound of neurogenesis was detected at day 6 and levels were back to basal at day 9. Daily treatment with Piroxicam alleviated the ET-induced effects. [Display omitted] •ICV-injection of ET decreases adult hippocampal neurogenesis.•Moderate inflammation was induced by endotoxin injection in the brain.•This resulted into a decrease of hippocampal neurogenesis.•Endotoxin injection induced thermal hyperalgesia that peaked at day 3.•Both effects were reversed when inflammation was resolved.