FIGURE 1.

Cytokines are a concurrent component of fever and seizures Exogenous pyrogenic factors (e.g., lipopolysaccharide) or hyperthermia lead to fever by acting at Toll-like receptors and through the induction of cytokines. Cytokines facilitate seizures through phosphorylation of the NR2A/B subunit of N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors and via prostaglandin E₂, an endogenous cytokine-induced pyrogen. Seizures, in turn, lead to the expression of cytokines in the brain, thus forming a vicious circle that contributes to seizure progression. PGE₂, Prostaglandin E₂; LPS, lipopolysaccharide.