Neuroimmunology and Neurological Infections

Neuroimmunology is a field that combines neurology (the study of the neurological system) and immunology (the study of the immune system) into one discipline. Neuroimmunologists study the interplay between these two complex systems throughout development, homeostasis, and injury response. One of the long-term goals of this rapidly growing research area is to improve our understanding of the pathology of some neurological diseases, some of which have no known cause. As a result, neuroimmunology aids in the development of new pharmacological treatments for a variety of neurological disorders.

Neurological infections are a broad category that includes a wide range of conditions that penetrate and damage the nervous system. Despite advancements in therapy and the development of early diagnosis procedures, many of these disorders can cause severe, chronic, and even life-threatening issues for those who are affected. Infections of the central nervous system (CNS) present a particular challenge to doctors because of the potential for morbidity and mortality as well as the inherent difficulty in treating them.

• Fungal infections
• Parasitic infections
• Prion diseases
• Bacterial infections such as Lyme disease, tuberculosis, syphilis
• Brain abscess