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Related Concept Videos

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...
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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...
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Bacterial meningitis typically begins when pathogens such as Neisseria meningitidis and Streptococcus pneumoniae colonize the nasopharynx and invade the bloodstream. This process is facilitated by bacterial virulence factors, such as polysaccharide capsules, which resist phagocytosis and complement-mediated killing. Less commonly, bacteria reach the central nervous system via contiguous spread from infections like otitis media or sinusitis, through congenital or acquired dural defects, or...
Arboviral Encephalitis01:25

Arboviral Encephalitis

Arboviral encephalitis refers to brain inflammation caused by arthropod-borne viruses, particularly those transmitted through mosquito vectors. Among these, West Nile virus (WNV), a member of the Flaviviridae family, is a significant public health concern. WNV is an enveloped, positive-sense, single-stranded RNA virus. Human infection typically begins when an infected mosquito introduces the virus into the dermis during feeding. The primary transmission cycle involves birds as amplifying hosts...
Bacterial Meningitis I: Introduction01:22

Bacterial Meningitis I: Introduction

Bacterial meningitis is a severe, life-threatening inflammation of the meninges, particularly the pia mater and arachnoid mater, affecting the subarachnoid space, ventricles, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). If untreated, it can lead to significant neurological complications or death.Causative AgentsCommon pathogens vary with age and immune status. In adults, major organisms include Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis, and Haemophilus influenzae. Streptococcus agalactiae (group B...

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Mouse Footpad Inoculation Model to Study Viral-Induced Neuroinflammatory Responses
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Published on: June 14, 2020

Pathogens and chronic or long-term neurologic disorders.

Ioannis Starakis1, George Panos, Angelos Koutras

  • 1Medicine Patras University Hospital, Internal Medicine Department, Infectious Diseases Section, Greece. istarakis@yahoo.com

Cardiovascular & Hematological Disorders Drug Targets
|March 31, 2011
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Central nervous system infections may trigger autoimmune responses, but their direct link to chronic neurological disorders remains unclear. This review examines evidence suggesting infections as potential triggers for diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Central nervous system (CNS) infections can elicit glial and autoimmune responses.
  • A definitive link between CNS infections and the pathogenesis of chronic neurological disorders is still elusive.
  • Controversial reports suggest infectious agents in the development of multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and autistic spectrum disorders.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To comprehensively review available data suggesting infections as common antecedent events of progressive neurologic degenerative or behavioral diseases.
  • To explore the controversial role of bacterial or viral infections in the pathogenesis of chronic neurological disorders.
  • To discuss the challenges in identifying causative links and the implications for treatment.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic literature review of studies investigating infectious agents and chronic neurological diseases.
  • Analysis of evidence linking infections to neurodegeneration and neurobehavioral disorders.
  • Evaluation of the role of infections in the context of other contributing factors like trauma, nutritional deficits, and immune dysregulation.

Main Results:

  • Evidence for a direct causal role of infections in chronic neurological disorders is currently limited but suggestive.
  • Infections may act as triggers or co-factors in genetically susceptible individuals, especially alongside other toxic events.
  • The precise role of specific bacterial or viral infections in neurodegenerative diseases remains to be fully elucidated.

Conclusions:

  • Infections are proposed as potential, though not definitively proven, antecedent events in the development of progressive neurologic and behavioral diseases.
  • The multifactorial nature of these diseases complicates the identification of single causative agents and necessitates a holistic approach.
  • Early identification of infectious links, if established, could significantly impact treatment strategies, though irreversible damage may occur before diagnosis.