Early elevations of C-reactive protein, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-8, intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1, and erythropoietin were associated with IQ values >2 SD below the expected mean (ORs: 2.0-2.3) and with moderate to severe cognitive impairment on a composite measure of IQ and executive function (ORs: 2.1-3.6).
Cytokines such as TNFα play an integral role in sleep/wake regulation and have recently been hypothesized to be involved in cognitive impairment due to sleep deprivation.
Early intervention with a small molecule inhibitor for tumor necrosis factor-α prevents cognitive deficits in a triple transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer's disease.
Plasma levels of soluble CD14 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha type II receptor correlate with cognitive dysfunction during human immunodeficiency virus type 1 infection.