Brain diseases

Widely prevalent late-life neurodegenerative disorders are caused by interactions between ageing, the environment and genetic risk. Microglia, the resident innate immune cells of the brain, are major contributors to the most common neurodegenerative disease, Alzheimer’s disease. Microglia likely also contribute to Parkinson’s disease, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and the progressive phase of multiple sclerosis. The Immuno-Pathology Network will enable CNS researchers to more easily harness the knowledge and expertise of those working on innate immune biology to further our understanding of how innate immunity drives neurodegeneration, contributing to the development of novel therapeutics to modulate these diseases.