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The role of complement in neurological and neuropsychiatric diseases

Bryan Paul Morgan1

  • 1a Institute of Infection and Immunity, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Henry Wellcome Building, Heath Park, Cardiff CF144XN, UK.

Expert Review of Clinical Immunology
|September 22, 2015
PubMed

Insights

The complement system, crucial for immunity and inflammation, drives disease pathology in the central and peripheral nervous systems. Understanding its role aids diagnosis and treatment for neurological and psychiatric disorders.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Neuroscience
  • Pathology

Background:

  • The complement system is a key part of innate immunity and inflammation.
  • It plays a role in host defense but can also cause disease by driving inflammation and cell damage.
  • Complement is increasingly implicated in central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral nervous system (PNS) diseases, including infectious, autoimmune, degenerative, and neuropsychiatric disorders.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the evidence linking complement to CNS and PNS diseases.
  • To outline how this knowledge can improve diagnosis and patient outcomes.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies implicating complement in neurological and psychiatric diseases.

Main Results:

  • The complement system is a significant factor in the pathogenesis of various CNS and PNS disorders.
  • Emerging complement-targeting drugs and biomarkers offer new therapeutic and diagnostic avenues.

Conclusions:

  • Complement's role in disease pathogenesis is increasingly recognized.
  • Targeting the complement system and utilizing complement analytes hold promise for diagnosing and treating neurological and psychiatric conditions.

Keywords:
complementdemyelinationinflammationneurodegenerationneuropsychiatry

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