Effects of central and peripheral inflammation on hippocampal synaptic plasticity

► Hippocampal LTP is impaired during the acute clinical phase of EAE, a model of direct CNS inflammation. ► Hippocampal LTP is also impaired in mice with systemic, peripherally-triggered inflammation (SI). ► Both during EAE and SI, hippocampal microglia is activated. ► Exclusively in EAE, but not during SI, the levels of the NR2B subunit of the NMDA receptor are reduced in the hippocampus. ► Exclusively in EAE, but not during SI, the levels of interleukin-1β are increased in the hippocampus.