Neural Mechanisms of ‘Brain Fog’ in a Neuroinflammatory Model of Depression
Supervisors:
Dr Ana González-Rueda, School of Psychology & Neuroscience
Prof Jonathan Cavanagh, School of Infection & Immunity
Summary:
Neuroinflammation is increasingly recognized as central to a wide range of illnesses, including depression. This chronic inflammation in the brain is believed to play a pivotal role in cognitive impairments, such as ‘brain fog,’ which manifests as difficulties in concentration and attention. These symptoms are debilitating, affecting daily functioning, and remain poorly understood at the neuronal level. This project aims to investigate the underlying mechanisms of brain fog by studying how neuroinflammation disrupts sensorimotor-attentional brain circuits, using a mouse model of depression that recapitulates key features of neuroinflammation. By combining behavioural tests, high-density electrophysiology, and targeted interventions, the research will reveal how inflammation affects critical brain regions involved in attention and sensorimotor integration. The insights gained from this project will deepen our understanding of the mechanisms underlying brain fog in depression, providing crucial knowledge that could inform the development of targeted therapeutic strategies to address cognitive impairments associated with neuroinflammatory conditions.