Neuroin£ammation in the pathogenesis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a devastating motor neuron disorder. Traditionally regarded as a ‘neuron only’ disease, recent evidence suggested that other cells contribute critically to the pathogenesis.This review provides a short synopsis of the role neuroin£ammation and microglial cells play in the disease and its animal models. A better understanding of neuroin£ammation in motor neuron degeneration and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis disease progression promises to improve the rational design of greatly needed therapies. NeuroReport 16:527^531 c 2005 LippincottWilliams &Wilkins.