The cross-talk of nuclear factor kappaB and nitric oxide in the brain

In the brain, NF-κB has been implicated in both normal processes of synaptic plasticity and memory as well as in pathological mechanisms of neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease or Alzheimer’s disease. The involvement of nitric oxide in the learning, memory, behavioral processes, cognition but also in neurodegenerative processes and disorders was clearly described. Since the similar mechanisms including increase in glutamate and intracellular calcium level lead to activation of both NF-κB and nitric oxide, the mutual regulation of these factors is suggested. It seems that concerning the neurons, the increase in NF-κB expression and activation is accompanied by increased inducible and neuronal NOS isoform expressions and vice versa.