Immunomodulatory therapeutics

Abstract

Altered immune mechanisms occur in a number of neurological illnesses. These immune responses range from persistent or disproportionate reactivity of resident microglia cells within the CNS to the infiltration of potentially autoreactive peripheral leukocytes. Therapies directed at elements of peripheral immune system have been a successful strategy for treating the relapsing-remitting stage of multiple sclerosis. However, regulating the microglial activity within the CNS could be a promising approach for treating the progressive stage of multiple sclerosis and other neurodegenerative diseases for which effective therapies have remained elusive. Immunomodulating agents that have been evaluated in several neurological illnesses with a neurodegenerative and/or a neuroinflammatory component are discussed in this chapter.