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bioRxiv · 10.1101/2025.07.09.664028

Fever induces long-term synaptic enhancement and protects learning in an accelerated aging model

Glebov, O. O.·Du, F.·Wan, Q.
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Abstract

Physiological impact of fever in the brain remains poorly understood. Here, we demonstrate that induction of fever by yeast injection in rats (N=9) and by whole-body hyperthermia in mice (N=7) triggers structural synaptic enhancement in the prefrontal cortex involving AMPA-type glutamate receptor signalling and protein translation (N=6). Repeated fever induction in juvenile rats (N=9) results in synaptic strengthening that persists into adulthood, mitigating learning deficits and synaptic loss in a D-galactose model of accelerated aging (N=11). Our results show how common environmental conditions may shape brain function in the long-term via synaptic plasticity, warranting further exploration of thermal treatment for cognitive protection in aging.

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Glebov, O. O., Du, F., Wan, Q.. 2025-07-15. Fever induces long-term synaptic enhancement and protects learning in an accelerated aging model. https://doi.org/10.1101/2025.07.09.664028

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