Nervous System Inflammation

Dear Colleagues,

The concept of nervous system inflammation has ample connotations ranging from infectious and post-infectious processes to demyelinating disorders. Autoimmune mechanisms play a fundamental role in many of these pathologies, affecting CNS structures and the peripheral nervous system. Dysfunction of the innate and the adaptive immune systems participates mechanistically, while non-resolving, chronic or pervasive inflammation in the CNS may result in degeneration and loss of structure. The pathophysiology involved in many of these disorders leads to the theoretical utilization of diverse immunotherapies. Viral encephalitis (e.g., herpes human virus and ECHO) and other infections are sporadic, some acquiring a seasonal or regional apparition, while more common disorders such as multiple sclerosis (MS) and less common demyelinating diseases such as neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD), myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody disease (MOGAD), and acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM), this latter usually a post-infectious development, have a more consistent epidemiologic pattern. Serious, albeit rare neuroimmune conditions include paraneoplastic and autoimmune encephalitis, autoimmune epilepsies, and “idiopathic” transverse myelitis. Detecting neuronal cell surface antibodies is emphasized in inflammatory cerebral cases. CNS vasculitis, neurorheumatological disorders (e.g., Behçet’s disease, Sjögren’s syndrome, systemic lupus erythematosus), and neurosarcoidosis are considered in this topic. Specific investigations and careful differentiation of MRI patterns are of primary importance in the proper identification of these syndromes. Autoimmune polyradiculoneuropathies classically represented as Guillain–Barré syndrome and chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) are prime examples of inflammatory diseases of the peripheral nervous system. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis, electrophysiological studies, highly sensitive nerve biopsy techniques, and autonomic dysfunction testing all are fundamental for the proper diagnosis and management of peripheral nervous system disease. Contributions to this Topical Collection will enrich knowledge and procure more options of management for the people afflicted by these diseases.

Prof. Víctor M. Rivera
Collection Editor

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