ELM 19: Stroke 2

Question 1

Inflammatory mediators in stroke

Answer 1

Glial cell activation
Oedema
Systemic acute phase response
Expression of adhesion molecules
Invasion of immune cells
Synthesis of inflammatory mediators

Question 2

What are cytokines?

Answer 2

Small proteins involved in disease and injury
Produced by damaged cells and act on the brain

Question 3

Examples of cytokines?

Answer 3

Interleukins
Interferons
Tumour necrosis factors
Growth factors
Chemokines

Question 4

Effects of cytokines in brain

Answer 4

Fever
Weight loss
Altered appetite
Hormonal changes
Activation of SNS
Altered immune system
Lethargy and fatigue

Question 5

What is interleukin 1?

Answer 5

‘Master cytokine’
- Key inflammatory mediator
- Produced rapidly in brain

Question 6

What is IL-1Ra?

Answer 6

Naturally occurring and highly selective antagonist of IL-1

Question 7

What is reduced when Il-1 is inhibited?

Answer 7

Ischaemia
Traumatic injury
Excitotoxic damage
Clinical symptoms of EAE
Heat stroke damage
Epileptic seizures

Question 8

Effects of IL-1

Answer 8

Increased growth factors
ECM, integrins
Activation of glia and release of toxins
Direct effects on neurons
Cerebrovascular actions
Physiological actions

Question 9

Other effects of increased IL-1 in brain

Answer 9

Stroke
Brain injury
Epilepsy
Brain infections and tumours
Parkinsons
Alzheimers
Motor neurone disease
MS
Downs syndrome