The role of TNF signaling pathway in post-stroke cognitive impairment: a systematic review

Background Post-stroke cognitive impairment (PSCI) is a prevalent complication that impairs stroke survivors’ quality of life and rehabilitation. Growing evidence highlights the crucial role of inflammation in PSCI pathogenesis. The tumor necrosis factor (TNF) signaling pathway, especially tumor nec...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Ren Fanzhou, Luo Yuding, Liu Pingchuan, Xiong Hai, Liu Xu, Wang Jian
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2025-12-01
Series:Annals of Medicine
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/07853890.2025.2543519
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1849393496429953024
author Ren Fanzhou
Luo Yuding
Liu Pingchuan
Xiong Hai
Liu Xu
Wang Jian
author_facet Ren Fanzhou
Luo Yuding
Liu Pingchuan
Xiong Hai
Liu Xu
Wang Jian
author_sort Ren Fanzhou
collection DOAJ
description Background Post-stroke cognitive impairment (PSCI) is a prevalent complication that impairs stroke survivors’ quality of life and rehabilitation. Growing evidence highlights the crucial role of inflammation in PSCI pathogenesis. The tumor necrosis factor (TNF) signaling pathway, especially tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), has gained attention for its role in neuroinflammatory diseases. TNF pathway activation is strongly associated with neuronal injury and neuroinflammation in stroke, suggesting its involvement in PSCI. However, the exact mechanisms by which TNF signaling contributes to PSCI remain unclear.Objective This review summarizes recent evidence on the TNF signaling pathway to elucidate its molecular mechanisms, analyze its role in PSCI pathogenesis, and examine associated inflammatory responses and their functional consequences. We also explores potential therapeutic targets, offering novel perspectives for PSCI intervention.Methods A comprehensive literature search was conducted across electronic databases including PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and MEDLINE to identify relevant studies. We systematically reviewed recent research investigating the role and mechanisms of the TNF signaling pathway in PSCI. Eligible studies were rigorously screened, followed by data extraction and quality assessment using standardized criteria.Conclusions The TNF signaling pathway is complex and heterogeneous in PSCI, potentially attributable to variations in study designs, samples, experimental models, and interventions. Emerging evidence supports the therapeutic potential of pharmacological and biological agents targeting this pathway. These findings highlight the need for integrated clinical and basic research to strengthen the foundation for early diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of PSCI, and to guide evidence-based clinical decisions.
format Article
id doaj-art-e81f61ba29304dd7824c4fbfdd4f2e16
institution Kabale University
issn 0785-3890
1365-2060
language English
publishDate 2025-12-01
publisher Taylor & Francis Group
record_format Article
series Annals of Medicine
spelling doaj-art-e81f61ba29304dd7824c4fbfdd4f2e162025-08-20T03:40:24ZengTaylor & Francis GroupAnnals of Medicine0785-38901365-20602025-12-0157110.1080/07853890.2025.2543519The role of TNF signaling pathway in post-stroke cognitive impairment: a systematic reviewRen Fanzhou0Luo Yuding1Liu Pingchuan2Xiong Hai3Liu Xu4Wang Jian5North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, ChinaDepartment of Neurology, Ya’an People’s Hospital, Ya’an, ChinaDepartment of Neurology, Ya’an People’s Hospital, Ya’an, ChinaDepartment of Neurology, Ya’an People’s Hospital, Ya’an, ChinaDepartment of Neurology, Ya’an People’s Hospital, Ya’an, ChinaNorth Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, ChinaBackground Post-stroke cognitive impairment (PSCI) is a prevalent complication that impairs stroke survivors’ quality of life and rehabilitation. Growing evidence highlights the crucial role of inflammation in PSCI pathogenesis. The tumor necrosis factor (TNF) signaling pathway, especially tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), has gained attention for its role in neuroinflammatory diseases. TNF pathway activation is strongly associated with neuronal injury and neuroinflammation in stroke, suggesting its involvement in PSCI. However, the exact mechanisms by which TNF signaling contributes to PSCI remain unclear.Objective This review summarizes recent evidence on the TNF signaling pathway to elucidate its molecular mechanisms, analyze its role in PSCI pathogenesis, and examine associated inflammatory responses and their functional consequences. We also explores potential therapeutic targets, offering novel perspectives for PSCI intervention.Methods A comprehensive literature search was conducted across electronic databases including PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and MEDLINE to identify relevant studies. We systematically reviewed recent research investigating the role and mechanisms of the TNF signaling pathway in PSCI. Eligible studies were rigorously screened, followed by data extraction and quality assessment using standardized criteria.Conclusions The TNF signaling pathway is complex and heterogeneous in PSCI, potentially attributable to variations in study designs, samples, experimental models, and interventions. Emerging evidence supports the therapeutic potential of pharmacological and biological agents targeting this pathway. These findings highlight the need for integrated clinical and basic research to strengthen the foundation for early diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of PSCI, and to guide evidence-based clinical decisions.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/07853890.2025.2543519Cognitive dysfunctionbiomarkersischemic strokeneuroinflammation therapeutic targetsTNF signaling pathwaytumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)
spellingShingle Ren Fanzhou
Luo Yuding
Liu Pingchuan
Xiong Hai
Liu Xu
Wang Jian
The role of TNF signaling pathway in post-stroke cognitive impairment: a systematic review
Annals of Medicine
Cognitive dysfunction
biomarkers
ischemic stroke
neuroinflammation therapeutic targets
TNF signaling pathway
tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)
title The role of TNF signaling pathway in post-stroke cognitive impairment: a systematic review
title_full The role of TNF signaling pathway in post-stroke cognitive impairment: a systematic review
title_fullStr The role of TNF signaling pathway in post-stroke cognitive impairment: a systematic review
title_full_unstemmed The role of TNF signaling pathway in post-stroke cognitive impairment: a systematic review
title_short The role of TNF signaling pathway in post-stroke cognitive impairment: a systematic review
title_sort role of tnf signaling pathway in post stroke cognitive impairment a systematic review
topic Cognitive dysfunction
biomarkers
ischemic stroke
neuroinflammation therapeutic targets
TNF signaling pathway
tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)
url https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/07853890.2025.2543519
work_keys_str_mv AT renfanzhou theroleoftnfsignalingpathwayinpoststrokecognitiveimpairmentasystematicreview
AT luoyuding theroleoftnfsignalingpathwayinpoststrokecognitiveimpairmentasystematicreview
AT liupingchuan theroleoftnfsignalingpathwayinpoststrokecognitiveimpairmentasystematicreview
AT xionghai theroleoftnfsignalingpathwayinpoststrokecognitiveimpairmentasystematicreview
AT liuxu theroleoftnfsignalingpathwayinpoststrokecognitiveimpairmentasystematicreview
AT wangjian theroleoftnfsignalingpathwayinpoststrokecognitiveimpairmentasystematicreview
AT renfanzhou roleoftnfsignalingpathwayinpoststrokecognitiveimpairmentasystematicreview
AT luoyuding roleoftnfsignalingpathwayinpoststrokecognitiveimpairmentasystematicreview
AT liupingchuan roleoftnfsignalingpathwayinpoststrokecognitiveimpairmentasystematicreview
AT xionghai roleoftnfsignalingpathwayinpoststrokecognitiveimpairmentasystematicreview
AT liuxu roleoftnfsignalingpathwayinpoststrokecognitiveimpairmentasystematicreview
AT wangjian roleoftnfsignalingpathwayinpoststrokecognitiveimpairmentasystematicreview