Cytokines and cognitive function in mice.
A bidirectional flow of informations exists between the central nervous system and the immune system. Cytokines play a crucial role in this communication and exert several neuromodulatory actions. This short review considers some data concerning the effects of several cytokines, interleukin (IL)-1, IL-2, IL-6 and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor on scopolamine-induced amnesia for a passive avoidance response, and on hippocampal neurotransmitter amino acid levels in mice. We interpret these behavioral and biochemical observations to indicate that the cytokine-to-brain communication can result in alterations in brain functions.
Bianchi
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M
Department of Pharmacology, University of Milano, Italy. m.bianchi@airon.it
Sacerdote
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Panerai
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D000647:Amnesia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000523:psychology; D000818:Animals; D001362:Avoidance Learning / Q000187:drug effects; D003071:Cognition / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000502:physiology*; D016178:Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000494:pharmacology; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012601:Scopolamine
D016207:Cytokines; D007375:Interleukin-1; D015850:Interleukin-6; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D016178:Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor; D012601:Scopolamine