Cytokine-to-brain communication: A review & analysis of alternative mechanisms
Abstract
It is becoming well accepted that products of the immune system (cytokines) can signal the brain that infection has occurred. This cytokine-to-brain communication can result in marked alterations in brain function and behavior. This review examines alternative mechanisms that have been proposed to explain how such immune products can reach the brain via the blood to cause centrally-mediated "illness" responses. Finally, we describe a new view which argues that cytokines signal brain in quite a different manner, by stimulating afferent terminals of peripheral nerves at local sites of synthesis and release.
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Carrier-mediated mechanisms can actively transport cytokines across the blood-brain barrier.
“carrier-mediated mechanisms can actively transport cytokines across the blood-brain barrier”
From From stress to inflammation and major depressive disorder: A social signal transduction theory of depression. (2014) · cites this paper as Watkins, Maier, & Goehler, 1995
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- Authors
- Watkins, L. R., Maier, S. F., & Goehler, L. E.
- Affiliations
- University of Colorado Boulder (US)
- Corresponding author
- Watkins, Linda R.
- ORCID
- Maier, Steven F.
- Venue
- Life Sciences
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 1995-08
- Volume
- 57
- Issue
- 11
- Pages
- 1011-1026
- ISSN
- 0024-3205 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2093312779
- Cited by
- 597
- References
- 2
- Citations by year
- 2026: 10 · 2025: 7 · 2024: 9 · 2023: 6 · 2022: 8 · 2021: 14 · 2020: 14 · 2019: 13 · 2018: 7 · 2017: 13 · 2016: 10 · 2015: 12 · 2014: 19 · 2013: 14 · 2012: 21
- FWCI
- 2.01
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Life Sciences (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Biological Psychiatry › Tryptophan and brain disorders
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Neurology › Neuroinflammation and Neurodegeneration Mechanisms
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Neurology › Vagus Nerve Stimulation Research
- Keywords
- cytokines, neuroimmune signaling, blood-brain barrier, sickness behavior
- MeSH terms
- Afferent Pathways, Animals, Biological Transport, Blood-Brain Barrier, Brain, Endothelium, Vascular, Humans, Pituitary-Adrenal System, Vagus Nerve, Signal Transduction, Cytokines
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