About this Research Topic
Neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Multiple Sclerosis, and Huntington’s disease share a ubiquitous feature: chronic aberrant inflammation. This immune response in the central nervous system, particularly the activation of brain-resident microglia, is a double-edged sword. On one hand – this immune response contributes to neurotoxicity, oxidative stress, and synaptic and neuronal damage. However on the other hand, it also plays key roles in (i) clearing cell debris and aggregated misfolded proteins; (ii) regulating inflammation that mediates repair, and (iii) providing neurotrophic support for neuroregeneration. In Alzheimer’s disease, microglia can excessively engulf or prune synapses, leading to synaptic loss. However, reduced microglial responses is associated with exacerbation of neuropathology and increased disease risk in various CNS diseases. In recent years, there has been increased investigation into the roles of specific immune cell populations in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases. For example, it has been recently demonstrated that peripheral macrophages, as opposed to resident microglia, may exhibit distinct phenotypes and have a physiological role in engrafting under certain conditions and help clear amyloid-beta proteins in mouse models. Yet, this topic remains highly debated.
In this Research Topic, we welcome the submission of original research manuscripts as well as review articles focusing on both the beneficial and detrimental roles of inflammation in neurodegenerative diseases. We welcome studies that address the following sub-topics:
1. Neuroinflammation in Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative disorders.
2. Neuroinflammation in Multiple Sclerosis.
3. The role of innate immune cells in amyloid-beta clearance.
4. Tauopathy and inflammation in Alzheimer’s disease.
5. Innate immune mechanisms of CNS repair.
6. Adaptive immune mechanisms of CNS pathologies and repair.
7. Gut microbiome and inflammation in neurodegeneration.
8. Immune-brain barriers in healthy and diseased CNS.
9. Blood or other biomarkers of neuroinflammation with respect to neurodegeneration.
In this Research Topic, we welcome the submission of original research manuscripts as well as review articles focusing on both the beneficial and detrimental roles of inflammation in neurodegenerative diseases. We welcome studies that address the following sub-topics:
1. Neuroinflammation in Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative disorders.
2. Neuroinflammation in Multiple Sclerosis.
3. The role of innate immune cells in amyloid-beta clearance.
4. Tauopathy and inflammation in Alzheimer’s disease.
5. Innate immune mechanisms of CNS repair.
6. Adaptive immune mechanisms of CNS pathologies and repair.
7. Gut microbiome and inflammation in neurodegeneration.
8. Immune-brain barriers in healthy and diseased CNS.
9. Blood or other biomarkers of neuroinflammation with respect to neurodegeneration.
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
