Neuroinflammation

Neuroinflammation is an immune response within the central nervous system involving glial cells and inflammatory signals. It can protect neural tissue or contribute to its damage, depending on context and duration.

Microglia: Microglia are resident immune cells of the central nervous system that monitor tissue and respond to injury and infection. They detect disturbances in neural tissue and produce inflammatory signals.
Multiple sclerosis: Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease in which immune activity damages myelin in the central nervous system. Inflammation drives demyelinating lesions and contributes to neurological symptoms.
Neuroimmunology: Neuroimmunology studies interactions between the nervous system and the immune system. It encompasses neuroinflammation alongside immune functions that do not require active inflammation.
Microglial activation: Microglial activation is a set of changes in microglial behavior in response to signals from their environment. Its varied states resist a simple division into beneficial and harmful categories.
Astrocyte: Astrocytes are central nervous system glial cells that support neurons, regulate synapses, and help maintain the blood–brain barrier. Inflammatory signals can alter their barrier-supporting and tissue-regulating functions.
Encephalitis: Encephalitis is inflammation of brain tissue, commonly caused by infection or autoimmunity. It is a direct clinical manifestation of inflammation within the brain.
Neurodegeneration: Neurodegeneration is the progressive loss of neuronal structure or function. It can result from diverse processes, while neuroinflammation is one possible contributor.
Inflammasome: An inflammasome is an intracellular protein complex that activates inflammatory signaling, including maturation of interleukin-1β. Its role in neurological disease raises questions about when blocking inflammatory pathways helps.
Cytokine: Cytokines are signaling proteins that regulate immune and inflammatory responses. They coordinate communication among glia and recruited immune cells.
Alzheimer's disease: Alzheimer's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder marked by memory decline and characteristic brain pathology. Microglial and cytokine responses accompany disease pathology and may affect its progression.

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