Cited by 760Tryptophan and brain disordersNeuroinflammation and Neurodegeneration MechanismsCytokine Signaling Pathways and Interactions

Evidence for a cytokine model of cognitive function

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McAfoose, J., Baune, B.T.·2009·Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews

Abstract

Aiming at a formulation of a cytokine model of cognitive function under immunologically unchallenged physiological conditions, this article reviews the cytokine biology in the central nervous system (CNS) and recent developments in normal cytokine functions within the CNS that subserve cognitive processes. Currently available evidence shows that the cytokines IL-1beta, IL-6 and TNF-alpha play a role in complex cognitive processes at the molecular level, such as synaptic plasticity, neurogenesis, as well as neuromodulation. Such findings provide evidence for a cytokine model of cognitive function, which shows that cytokines play an intimate role in the molecular and cellular mechanisms subserving learning, memory and cognition under physiological conditions. These cytokine-mediated cognitive processes have implications in the long-term development and pathogenesis of specific neuropsychiatric disorders such as major depression and dementia. The identification of this central role of cytokines in various brain activities during health provides greater insight into normal brain functions, especially synaptic plasticity, memory and cognition, and facilitates the understanding of specific biological mechanisms involved in neuropsychiatric diseases, such as dementia and depression. In order to extend the suggested cytokine model of cognitive function onto other members of the cytokine family, future research is required to investigate the physiological effects of other cytokines such as interferon-gamma (IFNgamma), alpha(1)-antichymotrypsin and IL-2 on cognitive function at the molecular level under immunologically unchallenged conditions.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2008.10.005

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  • Monoamine abnormalities in major depressive disorder likely contribute to impaired cellular signaling and neurocircuit deficits.

    “The well-established monoamine abnormalities in MDD likely contribute to impaired cellular signaling and neurocircuit deficits.19”

    From Cognitive Impairment in Major Depressive Disorder (2019) · cites this paper as [19]

  • IL-1beta and IL-6 increase during infection and play central roles in synaptic plasticity, neurogenesis, and neuromodulation.

    “IL-1beta and IL-6, both of which increase during infection, have been described as playing a central role in synaptic plasticity, neurogenesis and neuromodulation”

    From Glucocorticoids, cytokines and brain abnormalities in depression (2011) · cites this paper as McAfoose and Baune 2009

  • Under physiological conditions cytokines have a beneficial role on learning and memory, e.g. by promoting long term potentiation (LTP), neural plasticity and neural excitability.

    “Under physiological conditions cytokines have a beneficial role on learning and memory, e.g. by promoting long term potentiation (LTP), neural plasticity and neural excitability [3], [52], [53].”
  • Many studies have suggested that inflammation activation is linked to cognitive dysfunction, with a primary role for IL-1β, IL-6, IL-18, and TNF-α.

    “Many studies have implied that inflammation activation is inextricably linked to cognitive dysfunction suggesting a primary role of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-18, and TNF-α (Beydoun et al., 2019, Gorelick, 2010, McAfoose and Baune, 2009).”
  • Psychotropic agents may have a similar effect on the immune system and, consequently, on cognitive performance.

    “Finally, psychotropic agents may have a similar effect on the immune system and, consequently, on cognitive performance [86, 87].”

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Research works printed but not linked: 6

  1. Albensi, B.C., Mattson, M.P., 2000. Evidence for the involvement of TNF and NF- kappaB in hippocampal synaptic plasticity. Synapse 35 (2), 151-159.
  2. U.S.A. 100 (24), 14385-14390.
  3. Lynch, G., 2000. Memory Consolidation and Long-term Potentiation, second ed. The MIT Press, Cambridge.
  4. Malenka, R.C., Bear, M.F., 2004. LTP and LTD: an embarrassment of riches. Neuron 44 (1), 5-21.
  5. McIlroy, S.P., Vahidassr, M.D., et al., 2000. Association of serum AACT levels and AACT signal polymorphism with late-onset Alzheimer's disease in Northern Ireland. Int. J. Geriatr. Psychiatry 15 (3), 260-266.
  6. Muller, D., Toni, N., et al., 2000. Spine changes associated with long-term potentia- tion. Hippocampus 10 (5), 596-604.

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Authors
McAfoose, J., & Baune, B. T.
Affiliations
James Cook University (AU)
Corresponding author
Baune, B.T.
Venue
Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2009-03
Volume
33
Issue
3
Pages
355-366
ISSN
0149-7634 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2168610467
Cited by
760
References
198
Citations by year
2026: 16 · 2025: 32 · 2024: 48 · 2023: 30 · 2022: 45 · 2021: 50 · 2020: 37 · 2019: 59 · 2018: 56 · 2017: 48 · 2016: 57 · 2015: 59 · 2014: 45 · 2013: 52 · 2012: 55
FWCI
7.91
Type
journal article
Language
en
Locations
  • Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • ResearchOnline - JCU (James Cook University) (submittedVersion)
  • Adelaide Research & Scholarship (AR&S) (University of Adelaide) (submittedVersion)
  • Zurich Open Repository and Archive (University of Zurich) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Biological Psychiatry › Tryptophan and brain disorders
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Neurology › Neuroinflammation and Neurodegeneration Mechanisms
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Oncology › Cytokine Signaling Pathways and Interactions
Keywords
cytokines, cognitive function, central nervous system, IL-1β, interleukin-6, TNF-α, synaptic plasticity, neurogenesis, neuromodulation, learning and memory, major depressive disorder, dementia, interferon-gamma, alpha-1-antichymotrypsin, interleukin-2
MeSH terms
Animals, Central Nervous System, Cognition, Humans, Memory, Models, Neurological, Neuronal Plasticity, Neurons, Signal Transduction, Cytokines, Neurogenesis

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