Cytokines have diverse actions in the brain, some of which may facilitate either
neurodegeneration or neuroprotection. The expression of cytokines, particularly interleukins-
1 and-6 (IL-1, IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor α, is rapidly and markedly induced in response
to experimentally induced or clinical neurodegeneration. We have demonstrated that central
administration of the IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) markedly inhibits neurodegeneration
induced by focal cerebral ischaemia, local infusion of glutamate receptor agonists or …