CYTOKINES AND THEIR RECEPTORS IN THE CENTRAL-NERVOUS-SYSTEM - PHYSIOLOGY, PHARMACOLOGY, AND PATHOLOGY

Numerous cytokines and their receptors have been identified in the bra in, where they act as mediators of host defence responses and have dir ect effects on neuronal and glial function. Experimental tools for stu dying cytokine actions, their source and control of synthesis in the b rain, actions and mechanisms of action will be reviewed here. In parti cular, the cytokines interleukin-1, interleukin-6, and tumour necrosis factor-alpha have been implicated in the central control of responses to systemic disease and injury and activation of fever, neuroendocrin e, immune, and behavioural responses. The recent discovery of specific inhibitors of cytokine synthesis, release, or action may offer signif icant therapeutic benefit.