Work

Pathophysiological Role of Neuroinflammation in Neurodegenerative Diseases and Psychiatric Disorders

Year: 2016

Type: article

Abstract: Brain diseases and disorders such as Alzheimer disease, Parkinson disease, depression, schizophrenia, autism, and addiction lead to reduced quality of daily life through abnormal thoughts, perceptions, emotional states, and behavior. While the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood, human and animal studies have supported a role of neuroinflammation in the etiology of these diseases. In the central nervous system, an increased inflammatory response is capable of activating microglial cells, leading to the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines including interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α. In turn, the pro-inflammatory cytokines aggravate and propagate neuroinflammation, degenerating healthy neurons and impairing brain functions. Therefore, activated microglia may play a key role in neuroinflammatory processes contributing to the pathogenesis of psychiatric disorders and neurodegeneration.

Source: International Neurourology Journal

DOI: 10.5213/inj.1632604.302

Authors: Heeok Hong, Byung Sun Kim, Heh-In Im

Institutions: Konkuk University, Convergence Research Center for Diagnosis Treatment and Care System of Dementia, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Korea University of Science and Technology

Language: English

Topic: Neuroinflammation and Neurodegeneration Mechanisms

Subfield: Neurology

Field: Neuroscience

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: diamond

Funders: Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, National Research Council of Science and Technology