IL-1ra treatment prevents chronic social defeat stress-induced depression-like behaviors and glutamatergic dysfunction via the upregulation of CREB-BDNF.

Our study suggests that the imbalance of IL-1ra and IL-1β reduces the expression of the CREB-BDNF pathway in the hippocampus, which dysregulates AMPARs-mediated neurotransmission, ultimately leading to depression-like behaviors. IL-1ra could be a new potential candidate for the treatment of mood disorders.