Neuropsychiatric symptoms and interleukin-6 serum levels in acute stroke.

The role of interleukin-6 (IL-6) as a risk factor for developing depressive symptoms, neuropsychological impairment, and related functional and neurological symptom severity during the acute phase of ischemic stroke is still underexplored. Here, the authors assessed this issue, in 48 patients without significant clinical history for major medical illnesses or other factors that promote inflammation, 72 hours after a first-ever acute ischemic stroke. In the acute phase of ischemic stroke, increased IL-6 plays a key role in the onset of depressive disorders, apathy/amotivation, somatic symptoms of depression, and neurological/functional symptoms, resulting in higher disability and poor outcome of stroke patients.