Corticosteroid treatment attenuates anxiety and mPFC-amygdala circuit dysfunction in allergic asthma

Aims: Allergic asthma is associated with anxiety-related behaviors, leading to poor quality of life. Previous studies mainly described the neuropathophysiology of asthma-induced anxiety. However, the effects of corti-costeroids, the most common anti-inflammatory agents for asthma treatment, on the neurophysiological foun-dations of allergic asthma-induced anxiety are unexplored.Main methods: Here, we evaluated lung and brain inflammation as well as anxiety in an animal model of allergic asthma pretreated with inhaled fluticasone propionate. Furthermore, to define the neurophysiological bases of these conditions, we studied the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC)-amygdala circuit, which is previously shown to accompany asthma-induced anxiety.Key findings: Our data showed that allergen induces anxiety, mPFC and amygdala inflammation, as well as disruptions in the local and long-range oscillatory activities within the mPFC-amygdala circuit. Interestingly, we observed a roughly consistent trend of changes with inhaled fluticasone pretreatment. Namely, the asthma-induced behavioral, inflammatory, and neurophysiological changes were partly, but not totally, prevented by inhaled fluticasone pretreatment.Significance: We suggest that early treatment of asthmatic patients with inhaled corticosteroids improves mPFC-amygdala circuit function by attenuating neuroinflammation leading to reduced anxiety. These findings could lead clinical guidelines of asthma to consider the neuropsychiatric disorders of patients in treatment recommendations.

Automated summary

This study evaluated lung and brain inflammation as well as anxiety in an animal model of allergic asthma pretreated with inhaled fluticasone propionate. The results showed that allergen induced anxiety and inflammation in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and amygdala, as well as disruptions in the local and long-range oscillatory activities within the mPFC-amygdala circuit. Pretreatment with inhaled fluticasone partially prevented these asthma-induced changes. The findings suggest that early treatment with inhaled corticosteroids can improve mPFC-amygdala circuit function and reduce anxiety by attenuating neuroinflammation.