mTOR promotes the protein synthesis required for synaptic plasticity. Studies in cell cultures and hippocampal slices indicate that mTOR inhibition reduces long-term potentiation. mTOR activation can protect against certain neurodegeneration associated with certain disease conditions. On the other hand, promotion of autophagy by mTOR inhibition may reduce cognitive decline associated with neurodegeneration.
Moderate reduction of mTOR activity by 25-30% has been shown to improve brain function, suggesting that the relation between mTOR and cognition is optimized with intermediate doses (2.24 mg/kg/day in mice, human equivalent about 0.19 mg/kg/day), where very high or very low doses impair cognition. Reduction of the inflammatory cytokine Interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β) in mice by mTOR inhibition (with rapamycin in doses of 20 mg/kg/day, human equivalent about 1.6 mg/kg/day) has been shown to enhance learning and memory. Although IL-1β is required for memory, IL-1β normally increases with age, impairing cognitive function.