title: Inflammatory response after neurosurgery.
abstract: Investigation into the inflammatory response in the central nervous system (CNS) is a rapidly growing field, and a vast amount of information on this topic has accumulated over the past two decades. Inflammation is a particularly interesting issue in the (traditionally non-regenerating) CNS, owing to its dual role in worsening or improving regeneration and functional outcome in certain circumstances. This paper reviews the current literature on the interactions between the immune system and the CNS in physiological and pathological states. The first part will provide an overview of the cellular and molecular components of CNS inflammation, this being followed by a discussion of the concept of systemic immunodepression after neurotrauma and neurosurgery. Finally, the delicate balance of immune responses in the CNS, with an emphasis on the beneficial effects of inflammation and possible therapeutic options, will be discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cell and Neurobiology, Institute of Anatomy, Humboldt University Medical School-Charité, Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: Leman K
authors.initials: LK
authors.lastname: Mutlu
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Woiciechowsky
authors.forename: Ingo
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Bechmann
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000276:immunology / Q000293:injuries / Q000473:pathology; D016207:Cytokines / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines