The neuroimmune hypothesis in Parkinson's disease

The role of immune mechanisms in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease is still a matter of controversy. Immunological abnormalities have been reported in various brain areas and in peripheral immune parameters. Beside antigen specific findings which might indicate an autoimmune process directed against dopaminergic neurons, non-antigen specific abnormalities have been found, which could be caused either by a disease specific process and/or by immunological properties of various antiparkinsonian drugs, e.g. bromocriptine. Immune reactions may imitate or maintain the degenerative process. In this case possible neuroprotective strategies interfering with immune functions could be developed. Further investigations are necessary to elucidate the impact of immune mechanisms on the degenerative process in Parkinson's disease.