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. 2003 Jun;5(2):139-53.
doi: 10.31887/DCNS.2003.5.2/mschwarz.

Cytokines, neurophysiology, neuropsychology, and psychiatric symptoms

Markus J Schwarz  1
Affiliations

Cytokines, neurophysiology, neuropsychology, and psychiatric symptoms

Markus J Schwarz. Dialogues Clin Neurosci. 2003 Jun.

Abstract
in English, Spanish, French

Recent research has overcome the old paradigms of the brain as an immunologically privileged organ, and of the exclusive role of neurotransmitters and neuropeptides as signal transducers in the central nervous system. Growing evidence suggests that the signal proteins of the immune system - the cytokines - are also involved in modulation of behavior and induction of psychiatric symptoms. This article gives an overview on the nature of cytokines and the proposed mechanisms of immune-to-brain interaction. The role of cytokines in psychiatric symptoms, syndromes, and disorders like sickness behavior, major depression, and schizophrenia are discussed together with recent immunogenetic findings.

La investigación reciente ha sobrepasado los antiguos paradigmas que consideraban que el cerebro era un órgano inmunológicamente privilegiado y que los neurotransmisores y neuropéptidos tenían un papel exclusivo en la transducción de señales en el sistema nervioso central. Existe creciente evidencia que sugiere que las proteínas de señales del sistema inmune - las citoquinas - también participan en la modulación de la conducta y en la inducción de síntomas psiquiátricos. Estre artículo entrega una visión panorámica acerca de la naturaleza de las citoquinas y los mecanismos propuestos de la interacción entre la inmunidad y el cerebro. Se discute el papel de las citoquinas en síntomas, síndromes y trastornos psiquiátricos como la conducta de enfermedad, la depresión mayor y la esquizofrenia, como también recientes hallazgos inmunogenéticos.

La recherche récente a dépassé les anciens paradigmes considérant le cerveau comme un organe immunologiquement privilégié et le rôle exclusif des neurotransmetteurs et des neuropeptides comme transducteurs de signaux dans le système nerveux central. De plus en plus d'arguments suggèrent que les protéines de signal du système immunitaire - les cytokines - sont aussi impliquées dans la modulation du comportement et le développement des symptômes psychiatriques. Cet article tente de donner un rapide aperçu de la nature des cytokines et des mécanismes supposés mis en jeu dans l'interaction entre immunité et cerveau. Sont présentés le rôle des cytokines dans les symptômes psychiatriques, syndromes et troubles tels que le «comportement de maladie», la dépression majeure et la schizophrénie ainsi que les découvertes récentes en immunogénétique.

Keywords: cytokine; immunogenetics; major depression; psychoneuroimmunology; schizophrenia; sickness behavior.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.. The balance between Th1 (cell-mediated) and Th2 (humoral) response of the adaptive (specific) immune system. IL, interleukin; IFN-γ, interferon gamma; Th1 , T helper 1; Th2, T helper 2.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.. The essential amino acid tryptophan is converted either into the neurotransmitter serotonin, or into the neuroactive metabolite kynurenine, which is further degraded to quinolinic acid. The rate-limiting enzyme in the kynurenine pathway, indoleamine2,3-dioxygenase (IDO), and kynurenine hydroxylase (KYNHydrox) are activated by the cytokine interferon gamma (IFN-γ).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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