Electronic cigarette exposure disrupts blood-brain barrier integrity and promotes neuroinflammation.

The authors of the study "Electronic cigarette exposure disrupts blood-brain barrier integrity and alters neuroimmune function" conducted a series of experiments to investigate the effects of electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) exposure on cognitive function and anxiety-related behavior in mice. They used several tests, including Y-maze spontaneous alternation task, novel object recognition paradigm, elevated plus maze, and open field. One-way aNOVas were applied to each test to determine statistical significance.

The results of the Y-maze task showed no significant difference in the percentage of correct alternations among the groups, suggesting no effect on short-term memory. In the novel object recognition paradigm, the discrimination index was significantly lower in the e-cigarette exposure group compared to the control group, indicating impaired object recognition memory. In the elevated plus maze, the e-cigarette exposure group showed no significant difference in the percentage of entries into the open arms or the time spent in the open arms compared to the control group, suggesting no effect on anxiety-related behavior. In the open field test, the e-cigarette exposure group showed no significant difference in the total distance traveled compared to the control group, indicating no effect on locomotor activity.

In summary, the study found that e-cigarette exposure impairs object recognition memory but does not affect short-term memory, anxiety-related behavior, or locomotor activity in mice.

heldt Na, Seliga a, Winfield M, et al. Electronic cigarette exposure disrupts blood-brain barrier integrity and promotes neuroinflammation. Brain, behavior, and immunity. 2020;88:363-380. doi:10.1016/j.bbi.2020.03.034