AUTHOR=Sun Yuan , Li Jinran , A Nan , Li Zhaoxing , Zhong Wenyi , Chen Long , Liu Sai , Zhang Bocheng , Zhu Zheying , Li Xinuo 

TITLE=Methylprednisolone alleviates cognitive functions through the regulation of neuroinflammation in Alzheimer’s disease

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Immunology

VOLUME=14

YEAR=2023

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/immunology/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2023.1192940

DOI=10.3389/fimmu.2023.1192940

ISSN=1664-3224

ABSTRACT=<p>Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease and linked to abnormal deposition of amyloid-β (Aβ), neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs), synaptic dysfunction, and neuroinflammation. Despite significant progress in unravelling the pathogenesis of AD, currently main therapeutic interventions is limited to symptomatic alleviation. Methylprednisolone (MP), a synthetic glucocorticoid, is recognized for its extensive anti-inflammatory properties. Our study assessed the neuroprotective effect of MP (25 mg/kg) administration to an Aβ<sub>1-42</sub>-induced AD mouse model. Our findings demonstrate that MP treatment can ameliorate cognitive impairment in Aβ<sub>1-42</sub>-induced AD mice and suppress microglial activation in the cortex and hippocampus. RNA-Sequencing analysis reveals that MP ultimately rescues cognitive dysfunction through improving the synapse function and inhibiting the immune and inflammatory processes. Our study suggests that MP could be a promising drug alternative for the treatment of AD, either alone or in combination with other existing drugs.</p>