Interplay between immunity and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: Clinical impact

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Immunology
• Genetics

Background:

• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease with poorly understood causes, particularly in sporadic cases.
• Despite extensive research, the precise pathogenic mechanisms underlying ALS remain elusive.
• Recent advancements highlight the expanding role of the immune system in ALS pathophysiology.

Purpose of the Study:

• To summarize recent advances in understanding immune system involvement in ALS.
• To focus on the clinical translation of immune-related findings in ALS.
• To explore potential therapeutic targets and personalized treatment strategies for ALS.

Main Methods:

• Review of current literature on immune system involvement in ALS.
• Discussion of local and systemic factors (blood, cerebrospinal fluid, microbiota) influencing ALS.
• Exploration of Positron Emission Tomography (PET) for in vivo neuroinflammation detection.

Main Results:

• The immune system plays a significant, expanding role in ALS pathophysiology.
• Both local and systemic factors, including microbiota, impact ALS onset and progression.
• Positron Emission Tomography shows potential for detecting neuroinflammation in vivo.

Conclusions:

• Understanding immune system involvement in ALS is crucial for identifying novel therapeutic targets.
• Clinical translation of immune-based research offers realistic hope for personalized ALS treatments.
• Further validation in human patients is needed to advance personalized therapeutic strategies for ALS.