Autoimmune diseases of the central nervous system (CNS) are a group of complex and disabling disorders characterized by the immune system mistakenly attacking the CNS. During the last 2 decades, we have witnessed a rapidly evolving spectrum of CNS autoimmune diseases, which has become a research hotspot in neurology. These include CNS inflammatory demyelinating diseases such as multiple sclerosis and neuromyelitis optical spectrum disorders, paraneoplastic, and other autoimmune encephalomyelitis and CNS involvement in systemic autoimmune diseases. Recently, although remarkable discoveries have accumulated more understanding of the autoimmune basis behind the physiopathologic mechanism, the exact pathogenic processes are still unclear. Patients may present with a variety of manifestations, posing a great challenge to diagnosis and management.
The determination of biomarkers plays a significant role in CNS autoimmune diseases. Biomarkers can reflect the presence, nature, and intensity of certain immune responses triggered by both genetic and environmental processes, and bear great importance in guiding clinical diagnosis, estimating disease risk or prognosis, evaluating disease severity, and monitoring progression or response to therapy. For instance, the detection of disease-specific antibodies can contribute to the accurate diagnosis and precise treatment. Moreover, identifying the diverse biomarkers could further help to achieve the ultimate goal of personalized medicine.
This Research Topic aims to provide recent advances and novel findings on the clinical application of biomarkers in autoimmune diseases of the CNS. Both Original Research and Review articles addressing important or novel aspects of biomarkers in the diagnosis and management of these disorders will be encouraged. In addition, a variety of other publications, including Editorials, Commentaries and Perspectives, Case Reports, and other works are also welcome if relevant insights into the field are provided.
Topics of interest include but are not limited to:
• Biomarkers from peripheral blood, cerebrospinal fluid, or other body fluids for autoimmune diseases of the CNS
• Neuroradiological biomarkers for autoimmune diseases of the CNS
• Electrophysiological biomarkers for autoimmune diseases of the CNS
• Genetic biomarkers for autoimmune diseases of the CNS
• Multimodal biomarkers for autoimmune diseases of the CNS
• Pathophysiologic, diagnostic, therapeutic, prognostic biomarkers for autoimmune diseases of the CNS
• Bioinformatics analysis of the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of autoimmune diseases of the CNS
Autoimmune diseases of the central nervous system (CNS) are a group of complex and disabling disorders characterized by the immune system mistakenly attacking the CNS. During the last 2 decades, we have witnessed a rapidly evolving spectrum of CNS autoimmune diseases, which has become a research hotspot in neurology. These include CNS inflammatory demyelinating diseases such as multiple sclerosis and neuromyelitis optical spectrum disorders, paraneoplastic, and other autoimmune encephalomyelitis and CNS involvement in systemic autoimmune diseases. Recently, although remarkable discoveries have accumulated more understanding of the autoimmune basis behind the physiopathologic mechanism, the exact pathogenic processes are still unclear. Patients may present with a variety of manifestations, posing a great challenge to diagnosis and management.
The determination of biomarkers plays a significant role in CNS autoimmune diseases. Biomarkers can reflect the presence, nature, and intensity of certain immune responses triggered by both genetic and environmental processes, and bear great importance in guiding clinical diagnosis, estimating disease risk or prognosis, evaluating disease severity, and monitoring progression or response to therapy. For instance, the detection of disease-specific antibodies can contribute to the accurate diagnosis and precise treatment. Moreover, identifying the diverse biomarkers could further help to achieve the ultimate goal of personalized medicine.
This Research Topic aims to provide recent advances and novel findings on the clinical application of biomarkers in autoimmune diseases of the CNS. Both Original Research and Review articles addressing important or novel aspects of biomarkers in the diagnosis and management of these disorders will be encouraged. In addition, a variety of other publications, including Editorials, Commentaries and Perspectives, Case Reports, and other works are also welcome if relevant insights into the field are provided.
Topics of interest include but are not limited to:
• Biomarkers from peripheral blood, cerebrospinal fluid, or other body fluids for autoimmune diseases of the CNS
• Neuroradiological biomarkers for autoimmune diseases of the CNS
• Electrophysiological biomarkers for autoimmune diseases of the CNS
• Genetic biomarkers for autoimmune diseases of the CNS
• Multimodal biomarkers for autoimmune diseases of the CNS
• Pathophysiologic, diagnostic, therapeutic, prognostic biomarkers for autoimmune diseases of the CNS
• Bioinformatics analysis of the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of autoimmune diseases of the CNS