The role of sleep disturbance and inflammation for spatial memory

Spatial memory is a brain function involved in multiple behaviors such as planning a route or recalling an object's location. The formation of spatial memory relies on the homeostasis of various biological systems, including healthy sleep and a well-functioning immune system. While sleep is thought to promote the stabilization and storage of spatial memories, considerable evidence shows that the immune system modulates neuronal processes underlying spatial memory such as hippocampal neuroplasticity, long-term potentiation, and neurogenesis. Conversely, when sleep is disturbed and/or states of heightened immune activation occur, hippocampal regulatory pathways are altered, which – on a behavioral level - may result in spatial memory impairments. In this Brief Review, I summarize how sleep and the immune system contribute to spatial memory processes. In addition, I present emerging evidence suggesting that sleep disturbance and inflammation might jointly impair spatial memory. Finally, potentials of integrated strategies that target sleep disturbance and inflammation to possibly mitigate risk for spatial memory impairment are discussed.