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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.