The α5-GABA A R inverse agonist MRK-016 upregulates hippocampal BDNF expression and prevents cognitive deficits in LPS-treated mice, despite elevations in hippocampal Aβ.

•Repeated peripheral LPS administration increases expression of central Aβ.•Administration of MRK-016 post-training rescues memory consolidation following LPS administration.•MRK-016-treated animals showed BDNF mRNA expression comparable to control animals.•Repeated injections of LPS and increased Aβ expression are congruent with downregulation of TrkB.•Nurr1 expression is reduced following repeated LPS treatment, but is increased following behavioral training.