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Recent evidence has documented associations between higher levels of inflammation and social approach behaviors toward close others in laboratory-based tasks. Yet it is unknown if this translates to interactions with close others in daily life. Given that momentary experiences of social connection have both relational and health consequences, this is a critical gap in our knowledge. To address the association between inflammation and momentary social connection experiences in close relationships, 55 participants provided blood samples on two consecutive days, which were assayed for circulating levels of the inflammatory marker interleukin-6 (IL-6). After providing the first blood sample, participants received the annual influenza vaccine as a mild inflammatory challenge. Participants also reported on cognitive, affective, and behavioral indicators of social connection with a specific close other multiple times across the two study days. Results indicated that levels of IL-6 were positively associated with temporally-proximal indicators of momentary social connection with a close other. Specifically, higher levels of IL-6 were associated with greater feelings of comfort from the close other, greater desire to be near them, and higher reported relationship quality. Greater IL-6 reactivity to the vaccine was only associated with increased reported relationship quality. These data add to the existing literature suggesting that higher levels of IL-6 may motivate social approach toward a close other, extending evidence to now include momentary social connection experiences in daily life.
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This content will become publicly available on January 1, 2026
Role of Metalloproteinases in Diabetes-associated Mild Cognitive Impairment
:Diabetes has been linked to an increased risk of mild cognitive impairment (MCI), a conditioncharacterized by a subtle cognitive decline that may precede the development of dementia. Theunderlying mechanisms connecting diabetes and MCI involve complex interactions between metabolicdysregulation, inflammation, and neurodegeneration. A critical mechanism implicated in diabetes andMCI is the activation of inflammatory pathways. Chronic low-grade inflammation, as observed in diabetes,can lead to the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha(TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), and interferon-gamma (IFNγ), each of whichcan exacerbate neuroinflammation and contribute to cognitive decline. A crucial enzyme involved inregulating inflammation is ADAM17, a disintegrin, and metalloproteinase, which can cleave and releaseTNF-α from its membrane-bound precursor and cause it to become activated. These processes, inturn, activate additional inflammation-related pathways, such as AKT, NF-κB, NLP3, MAPK, andJAK-STAT pathways. Recent research has provided novel insights into the role of ADAM17 in diabetesand neurodegenerative diseases. ADAM17 is upregulated in both diabetes and Alzheimer's disease,suggesting a shared mechanism and implicating inflammation as a possible contributor to muchbroader forms of pathology and pointing to a possible link between inflammation and the emergenceof MCI. This review provides an overview of the different roles of ADAM17 in diabetes-associatedmild cognitive impairment diseases. It identifies mechanistic connections through which ADAM17and associated pathways may influence the emergence of mild cognitive impairment.
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- Award ID(s):
- 2021198
- PAR ID:
- 10566851
- Publisher / Repository:
- Current Neuropharmacology
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Current Neuropharmacology
- Volume:
- 23
- Issue:
- 1
- ISSN:
- 1570-159X
- Page Range / eLocation ID:
- 58 to 74
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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