Mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases are a central component in signaling networks in a multitude of mammalian cell types. This review covers recent advances on specific functions of p38 MAP kinases in cells of the central nervous system. Unique and specific functions of the four mammalian p38 kinases are found in all major cell types in the brain. Mechanisms of p38 activation and downstream phosphorylation substrates in these different contexts are outlined and how they contribute to functions of p38 in physiological and under disease conditions. Results in different model organisms demonstrated that p38 kinases are involved in cognitive functions, including functions related to anxiety, addiction behavior, neurotoxicity, neurodegeneration, and decision making. Finally, the role of p38 kinases in psychiatric and neurological conditions and the current progress on therapeutic inhibitors targeting p38 kinases are covered and implicate p38 kinases in a multitude of CNS-related physiological and disease states.

丝裂原活化蛋白（MAP）激酶是多种哺乳动物细胞类型信号网络中的重要组成部分。这篇综述涵盖了p38 MAP激酶在中枢神经系统细胞中的特定功能的最新进展。在大脑的所有主要细胞类型中都发现了四种哺乳动物p38激酶的独特和特定功能。概述了在这些不同情况下p38激活的机制和下游磷酸化底物，以及它们如何在生理和疾病条件下促进p38的功能。不同模型生物的结果表明，p38激酶参与认知功能，包括与焦虑，成瘾行为，神经毒性，神经变性和决策有关的功能。最后，