Neuroimmune Mechanisms of Neurodevelopmental Disorders.

Area of Science:

• Neuroimmunology
• Developmental Neuroscience

Background:

• Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) involve atypical brain development.
• The immune system's role in NDDs is increasingly recognized, impacting susceptibility and pathology.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review evidence linking immune cells and signals to healthy brain development.
• To examine clinical data on immune dysfunction in NDDs, including immunogenetic disorders and interferonopathies.
• To explore how early life immune challenges influence NDD risk, considering genetic predispositions.

Main Methods:

• Review of animal model studies on immune system roles in brain development.
• Analysis of clinical evidence for immune dysfunction in human NDDs.
• Examination of data from human and animal models on early life immune challenges and NDD risk.

Main Results:

• Animal models show immune cells and signals are vital for healthy brain development.
• Clinical evidence links immune dysfunction, particularly type I interferonopathies, to NDDs.
• Early life immune challenges, like viral infections, can disrupt development and increase NDD risk.

Conclusions:

• The immune system is integral to brain development, as shown in animal models.
• Immune activation correlates with NDD onset, progression, and severity.
• Identifying specific immune pathways relevant to human NDDs is crucial for diagnostics and therapeutics.