BBB and cytokines
 

Remember Ron's tooth? (full text is available on this one)


1. Psychiatry (Edgmont). 2009 Nov;6(11):18-22.

The blood brain barrier and the role of cytokines in neuropsychiatry.

Yarlagadda A, Alfson E, Clayton AH.

Dr. Yarlagadda is from Newport News, Virginia.

Cytokines have emerged in the past two decades as some of the most extensively
studied peptide molecules contributing to the pathophysiology of many diseases.
As a result of these translational efforts, discovery of drugs aimed at reducing
damage caused by cytokines has been accomplished for some conditions. The
characterization of the role of cytokines in the pathophysiology of
neuropsychiatric disorders is still in its infancy. This article highlights the
growing correlation of brain cytokine levels with corresponding psychiatric
symptoms, known as cytokine-induced sickness behavior, comprising increased
sleep, decreased appetite, decreased sexual drive, and overwhelming fatigue
frequently combined with fever.

PMCID: PMC2801483
PMID: 20049146 [PubMed - in process]