Increasing attention is being paid to the role of inflammatory and immune molecules in the modulation of central nervous system (CNS) function. Tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine, the receptors for which are expressed on neurones and glial cells throughout the CNS. Through the action of its two receptors, it has a broad range of actions on neurones which may be either neuroprotective or neurotoxic. It plays a facilitatory role in glutamate excitotoxicity, both directly and indirectly by inhibiting glial glutamate transporters on astrocytes. Additionally, TNF-α has direct effects on glutamate transmission, for example increasing expression of AMPA receptors on synapses. TNF-α also plays a role in synaptic plasticity, inhibiting long-term potentiation (LTP), a process dependent on p38 mitogen activated kinase (p38 MAP) kinase. In the following review we look at these and other effects of TNF-α in the CNS.

BackgroundEarly adulthood represents the transition to independent living which is a period when changes in diet and body weight are likely to occur. This presents an ideal time for health interventions to reduce the effect of health problems and risk factors for chronic disease in later life. As young adults are high users of mobile devices, interventions that use this technology may improve engagement. The Connecting Health and Technology study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of tailored dietary feedback and weekly text messaging to improve dietary intake of fruit, vegetables and junk food over 6 months among a population-based sample of men and women (aged 18–30 years).MethodsA three-arm, parallel, randomized control trial was conducted. After baseline assessments, participants were randomized to one of three groups: A) dietary feedback and weekly text messages, B) dietary feedback only or C) control group. Dietary intake was assessed using a mobile food record App (mFR) where participants captured images of foods and beverages consumed over 4-days at baseline and post-intervention. The primary outcomes were changes in serves of fruits, vegetables, energy-dense nutrient-poor (EDNP) foods and sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB). The intervention effects were assessed using linear mixed effect models for change in food group serves.ResultsYoung adults (n = 247) were randomized to group A (n = 82), group B (n = 83), or group C (n = 82). Overall, no changes in food group serves for either intervention groups were observed. An unanticipated outcome was a mean weight reduction of 1.7 kg (P = .02) among the dietary feedback only. Men who received dietary feedback only, significantly reduced their serves of EDNP foods by a mean of 1.4 serves/day (P = .02). Women who received dietary feedback only significantly reduced their intake of SSB (P = .04) by an average of 0.2 serves/day compared with controls.ConclusionsTailored dietary feedback only resulted in a decrease in EDNP foods in men and SSB in women, together with a reduction in body weight. Using a mobile food record for dietary assessment and tailored feedback has great potential for future health promotion interventions targeting diet and weight in young adults.Trial RegistrationAustralian Clinical Trials Registry Registration number: ACTRN12612000250831.

No abstract

No abstract