The potential role of proinflammatory and antiinflammatory cytokines in Alzheimer disease pathogenesis

Immunopharmacol Immunotoxicol. 2012 Dec;34(6):881-95. doi: 10.3109/08923973.2012.705292. Epub 2012 Sep 13.

Abstract

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by destructive alterations of neurons (neurofibrillary tangles and amyloid plaques), and cognitive impairment. Inflammation is a key pathological hallmark of AD, thus the clinical and immunopathological evidence could be supported by potential role of inflammatory cytokines in AD, which may actively contribute to disease progression and chronicity. However, their effects in disease progression and neurodegeneration remain an area of investigation. This review article provides an overview of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine activity in AD.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Alzheimer Disease / metabolism*
  • Alzheimer Disease / pathology
  • Animals
  • Cytokines / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Inflammation / metabolism
  • Inflammation / pathology
  • Inflammation Mediators / metabolism*

Substances

  • Cytokines
  • Inflammation Mediators