Magnesium sulfate (100 mg/kg; i.p.)administration to CRS-exposed animals attenuated the hippocampal pro-inflammatory events as seen by a significant decrease in TNF-α and IL-1β by 47.5% (p < 0.0001) and 53.1% (p < 0.0001), respectively, versus the CRS group. The gene discussed is IL1B; the disease is congenital rubella syndrome.