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Role of neuroinflammation in neurodegeneration: new insights
McManus RM, Heneka MT.. Alzheimer's research & therapy, 2017-03-04
Topic: Brain proteins, microglia and lab models
Previously, the contribution of peripheral infection to cognitive decline was largely overlooked however, the past 15 years have established a key role for infectious pathogens in the progression of age-related neurodegeneration. It is now accepted that the immune privilege of the brain is not absolute, and that cells of the central nervous system are sensitive to both the inflammatory events occurring in the periphery and to the infiltration of peripheral immune cells. This is particularly relevant for the progression of Alzheimer's disease, in which it has been demonstrated that patients are more vulnerable to infection-related cognitive changes.
Key findings
- It is now accepted that the immune privilege of the brain is not absolute, and that cells of the central nervous system are sensitive to both the inflammatory events occurring in the periphery and to the infiltration of peripheral immune cells.
- This is particularly relevant for the progression of Alzheimer's disease, in which it has been demonstrated that patients are more vulnerable to infection-related cognitive changes.
- This can occur from typical infectious challenges such as respiratory tract infections, although a number of specific viral, bacterial, and fungal pathogens have also been associated with the development of the disease.
- To date, it is not clear whether these microorganisms are directly related to Alzheimer's disease progression or if they are opportune pathogens that easily colonize those with dementia and exacerbate the ongoing inflammation observed in these individuals.
Why it matters
This review states that the brain's immune privilege is not absolute and that Alzheimer's patients are more vulnerable to infection-related cognitive changes. It suggests that peripheral infection and inflammation matter for disease progression, but reports no treatment or cure.
Study details
- Evidence strengthLow
How this study scored 48/100
Published in a peer-reviewed journal. Scored zero for study design, sample size, effect reported, studied in people and randomised / blinded because the record does not state it.
| Component | Points | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Journal tier | 7 / 10 | Tier 3 — peer-reviewed journal (Alzheimer's research & therapy) |
| Journal's citation record | 1 / 4 | Alzheimer s Research & Therapy: journal h-index 146 (OpenAlex, 2026-10-29) |
| Study design | 0 / 12 | No study design recorded — scores zero, not guessed (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Strength of evidence | 1 / 5 | Rated “low” in our summary |
| Peer-review validation | 10 / 10 | Peer-reviewed. Published as an article in a named peer-reviewed journal. |
| How recent | 2 / 5 | 2017 — within 10 year(s) of the newest study here |
| Sample size | 0 / 4 | Participant count not stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Effect reported | 0 / 3 | No effect size reported — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Studied in people | 0 / 3 | Not stated whether this was studied in people — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Randomised / blinded | 0 / 2 | No randomisation or blinding stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Times cited | 5 / 7 | Cited 246 times (OpenAlex, 2026-10-10) |
| Citations per year | 4 / 5 | 22.4 citations a year over 11 year(s) since 2017 |
| Impact for its field and year | 4 / 6 | Cited 14.0× the average for papers of its field and year (OpenAlex FWCI) |
| Cited by studies here | 2 / 6 | Cited by 6 other studies in this library |
| Still being cited | 2 / 4 | Cited 36 times in 2024–2026 (2026 still in progress; OpenAlex) |
| Senior author's track record | 4 / 4 | Last-listed author Michael Thomas Heneka: h-index 113 (OpenAlex, whole career) |
| Institution's track record | 1 / 3 | University of Bonn: institution h-index 1,072 (OpenAlex) |
| Multi-centre collaboration | 1 / 3 | OpenAlex lists 2 institution(s) in 1 country |
| Indexed in PubMed | 2 / 2 | Indexed in PubMed (PMID 28259169) |
| Free to read | 2 / 2 | Free to read |
| Total | 48 / 100 | — |
What each of these 20 components measures, and what this score is not →
Read the original
- DOI: 10.1186/s13195-017-0241-2
- PubMed: 28259169
- Original source →
- Free full text: Alzheimer s Research & Therapy →
Full text: free to read — OpenAlex lists this copy as free to read: the link above (checked 6 Feb 1020).
Cite this study APA, Vancouver, BibTeX · download .bib or .ris
Built from the record alzhub holds for this paper, not looked up. Volume, issue and page numbers are not held in the record. Check the citation against the original before you use it.
APA 7th
McManus, R. M., & Heneka, M. T. (2017). Role of neuroinflammation in neurodegeneration: new insights. Alzheimer's research & therapy. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13195-017-0241-2
Vancouver
McManus RM, Heneka MT. Role of neuroinflammation in neurodegeneration: new insights. Alzheimer's research & therapy. 2017. doi:10.1186/s13195-017-0241-2. PMID: 28259169.
BibTeX
@article{mcmanus2017-28259169,
author = {McManus, R. M. and Heneka, M. T.},
title = {{Role of neuroinflammation in neurodegeneration: new insights}},
journal = {Alzheimer's research \& therapy},
year = {2017},
doi = {10.1186/s13195-017-0241-2},
pmid = {28259169},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1186/s13195-017-0241-2}
}
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