This paper outlines the characteristics of the inflammatory reaction to brain ischemia with the aim of underlying its relevance and specific implication in the pathogenesis of this disorder. The attention is focused on cytokines, major inflammatory mediators produced in the central nervous system and in the periphery in the context of the response to brain injury. The available data on cytokines in patients with stroke are reviewed to investigate the characteristics of the inflammatory response in human samples and to elucidate if the production of these inflammatory molecules may be related to the clinical outcome.