Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 22, 2026

A Simple Approach to Induce Experimental Autoimmune Neuritis in C57BL/6 Mice for Functional and Neuropathological Assessments
07:30

A Simple Approach to Induce Experimental Autoimmune Neuritis in C57BL/6 Mice for Functional and Neuropathological Assessments

Published on: November 9, 2017

Neuroimmunology of the paraneoplastic neurological degenerations

Wendy K Roberts1, Robert B Darnell

  • 1Howard Hughes Medical Institute, The Rockefeller University, Box 226, 1230 York Avenue, New York, New York 10021, USA.

Current Opinion in Immunology
|September 3, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Paraneoplastic neurological degenerations (PNDs) occur when the immune system fights tumors by attacking the brain. This immune response, while suppressing tumors, mistakenly targets neurons, causing neurological symptoms.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroimmunology
  • Oncology
  • Autoimmunity

Background:

  • Paraneoplastic neurological degenerations (PNDs) demonstrate natural tumor immunity in humans.
  • Tumors express brain-specific proteins, triggering an immune response against the tumor.
  • This immune response can inadvertently lead to autoimmunity against the central nervous system.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the mechanisms of PNDs.
  • To understand the link between tumor immunity and neuroautoimmunity.
  • To investigate why immune cells cross into the brain.

Main Methods:

  • Observational studies of PND patients.
  • Analysis of immune responses in cancer patients.
  • Neuropathological examinations.

Main Results:

  • Common tumors (breast, ovarian, lung) express neuronal antigens.
  • Immune cells targeting these antigens can infiltrate the brain.
  • This infiltration results in neuronal damage and neurological deficits.

Conclusions:

  • PNDs highlight a complex interplay between cancer immunity and autoimmunity.
  • Further research is needed to fully elucidate the pathways involved in PNDs.
  • Understanding these mechanisms may lead to novel therapeutic strategies.

More Related Videos

Induction of Paralysis and Visual System Injury in Mice by T Cells Specific for Neuromyelitis Optica Autoantigen Aquaporin-409:29

Induction of Paralysis and Visual System Injury in Mice by T Cells Specific for Neuromyelitis Optica Autoantigen Aquaporin-4

Published on: August 21, 2017

Establishing In Vitro Models of Dorsal Root Ganglia Culture: Complementary Approaches for Investigating Cancer-Nerve Crosstalk11:26

Establishing In Vitro Models of Dorsal Root Ganglia Culture: Complementary Approaches for Investigating Cancer-Nerve Crosstalk

Published on: July 11, 2025

Related Concept Videos

Neural Regulation01:37

Neural Regulation

Digestion begins with a cephalic phase that prepares the digestive system to receive food. When our brain processes visual or olfactory information about food, it triggers impulses in the cranial nerves innervating the salivary glands and stomach to prepare for food.
Parkinson's Disease: Overview01:15

Parkinson's Disease: Overview

Neurodegenerative disorders are progressive diseases that cause irreversible damage and loss to neurons in specific brain areas. Examples of these disorders include Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, Multiple Sclerosis (MS), and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). These disorders share characteristics such as proteinopathies, selective neuronal vulnerability, and a complex interplay between genetic and environmental factors. The primary therapeutic goal for these conditions is to...
Disorders of the Nervous Tissue01:28

Disorders of the Nervous Tissue

Nervous tissue is a vital component of the human body's communication system, enabling us to perceive and respond to stimuli. However, like all other tissues, it is vulnerable to disorders and diseases that can significantly impact our neurological functioning.
Homeostatic Imbalances:
Alzheimer's disease manifests as a gradual decline in memory and cognitive abilities, attributed to the buildup of amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles in the brain.
Parkinson's disease arises from the...
Encephalitis l: Introduction01:19

Encephalitis l: Introduction

Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain parenchyma, most often due to infections or autoimmune processes. It presents with neuropsychiatric features such as fever, altered mental status, behavioral changes, cognitive dysfunction, seizures, focal deficits, and sometimes autonomic instability. In some cases, the meninges are also involved, resulting in meningoencephalitis.Infectious CausesInfectious encephalitis is most commonly viral but can also result from bacterial, fungal, or parasitic...
Encephalitis ll: Pathophysiology01:26

Encephalitis ll: Pathophysiology

Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain parenchyma caused by direct viral invasion or immune-mediated mechanisms triggered by infections or tumors. Both processes lead to neuronal injury, disrupted neurotransmission, and diverse neurological symptoms, often with overlapping clinical and pathological features.Autoimmune EncephalitisIn autoimmune encephalitis, antibodies target neuronal antigens on cell surfaces, synapses, or within neurons. A key example is anti-NMDAR encephalitis, which can...
Parkinson Disease ll: Pathophysiology01:24

Parkinson Disease ll: Pathophysiology

Parkinson disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder primarily affecting movement, with additional non-motor features. Its pathophysiology involves complex interactions among genetic susceptibility, environmental exposures, and cellular dysfunction, including dopaminergic neuron loss, protein aggregation, and mitochondrial impairment.Selective NeurodegenerationA key feature is the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta, leading to reduced...