Role of cytokines in psychopathology: therapeutic implications

Cytokines can influence physiological functions such as sleep and food intake; they also interact with a number of neurotransmitters and second messengers in the brain. Cytokines are involved in a number of infectious, inflammatory, neoplastic, metabolic and degenerative illnesses. They also have been implicated in some psychiatric disorders, including 1) depressive and anxiety disorders; 2) schizophrenic disorders (chronic and acute); 3) autistic disorder; 4) eating disorders; and 5) obsessive-compulsive disorder. Alterations in cytokine peptide/receptor production or function in major psychiatric disorders are of special interest to researchers in the field. Exogenous administration of cytokines may be of therapeutic value in disorders in which the cytokine system may be disturbed. In some brain disorders of defined neuropathology, some cytokines have been found clinically useful. Such a development has yet to occur in the treatment of psychiatric disorders; however, some limited and very preliminary observations suggest that manipulation of the cytokine network may be of potential value in the treatment of some psychiatric disorders. Considering the human and economic costs of major psychiatric disorders, alteration of the cytokine network as a potential therapeutic tool is worthy of consideration and investigation.