Data suggest that cytokines released during the inflammatory response target subcortical
structures including the basal ganglia as well as dopamine function to acutely induce
behavioral changes that support fighting infection and wound healing. However, chronic
inflammation and exposure to inflammatory cytokines appears to lead to persisting
alterations in the basal ganglia and dopamine function reflected by anhedonia, fatigue, and
psychomotor slowing. Moreover, reduced neural responses to hedonic reward, decreased …