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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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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...
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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...
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Mouse Footpad Inoculation Model to Study Viral-Induced Neuroinflammatory Responses
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Infectious agents and neurodegeneration.

Giovanna De Chiara1, Maria Elena Marcocci, Rossella Sgarbanti

  • 1Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy. giovanna.dechiara@iss.it

Molecular Neurobiology
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PubMed
Summary

Chronic infections from bacteria and viruses may increase the risk of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. These infections can directly harm brain cells and trigger damaging immune responses.

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Pathology

Background:

  • Epidemiologic and experimental evidence suggests chronic infections are potential risk factors for neurodegenerative diseases.
  • Central nervous system infections can cause progressive damage to neurons and surrounding cells.
  • Pathogens may directly induce neurotoxic pathways, contributing to neurodegeneration.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the role of specific pathogens in neurodegeneration.
  • To explore how infections contribute to the molecular hallmarks of neurodegenerative diseases.
  • To discuss the interplay between infections and other risk factors in neurodegeneration.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of epidemiologic and experimental data.
  • Analysis of mechanisms by which pathogens induce neuronal damage.
  • Focus on specific infectious agents: herpes simplex type-1, human immunodeficiency virus, influenza virus, and Chlamydia pneumoniae.

Main Results:

  • Infections can lead to misfolded protein aggregates, oxidative stress, and impaired autophagy.
  • Chronic inflammation and immune responses exacerbate neuronal dysfunction and death.
  • Pathogens can directly trigger pathways leading to molecular hallmarks of neurodegeneration.

Conclusions:

  • Chronic bacterial and viral infections are significant contributors to neurodegenerative processes.
  • Infectious agents can initiate or accelerate neurodegeneration through direct and indirect mechanisms.
  • Understanding these links is crucial for developing novel therapeutic strategies for neurodegenerative diseases.