ImmunoTargets and Therapy

Pathogenesis and Therapy of CNS Immune-Mediated Diseases

Central nervous system (CNS) immune-related diseases include a broad range of conditions whereby the immune system abnormally targets the brain, spinal cord, or other neuronal tissues. The origin of these diseases can be autoimmune, inflammatory, infectious, or paraneoplastic. Studying CNS immune-related diseases is critically important for several reasons. These diseases have high disease burden and poor outcomes; they cause severe disability, chronic pain, cognitive decline and even death. They affect children, young and middle-aged adults mostly, leading to significant socioeconomic impacts due to loss of work force and long-term dependency. These conditions have complex and poorly understood mechanisms. Understanding the underlying mechanisms can reveal new therapeutic targets.