The intersection of neuroimmunology and neurodegeneration has advanced considerably in recent years, with particular interest focused on the role of the adaptive immune system in disorders such as Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and related dementias. Significant studies have revealed correlations between adaptive immune cell infiltration, neuroinflammation, and disease pathology in both human samples and animal models. For example, T cell reactivity against alpha-synuclein and amyloid-beta has been observed in Parkinson's and Alzheimer's patients, respectively, while emerging data suggest that autoimmune reactions may exacerbate or modulate disease trajectories. This evolving landscape indicates a pressing need for deeper mechanistic understanding, as well as clarification of the specific immune signatures and pathways involved in diverse patient populations.

This Research Topic aims to dissect the contribution of adaptive immune responses to the initiation and progression of Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and related dementias. The goal is to identify shared and distinct adaptive immune mechanisms across these disorders, with a focus on elucidating potential therapeutic targets and biomarkers. By consolidating research in this field, we seek to address key questions regarding the timeline of immune involvement, the specificity of immune responses to neural antigens, and the potential for immune modulation to alter disease outcomes.

To gather further insights into the adaptive immune involvement in neurodegenerative dementias, we welcome articles that explore a spectrum of mechanisms and approaches, including but not limited to, the following themes:

- T cell reactivity to neural antigens: Studies examining T cell responses to disease-associated proteins such as alpha-synuclein, amyloid-beta, tau, and other CNS-derived antigens in patients and preclinical models.

- B cell and antibody-mediated mechanisms: Investigations into the role of B cells, autoantibodies, and humoral immunity in the pathogenesis or modulation of neurodegenerative dementias.

- Adaptive immune cell infiltration and CNS interactions: Research characterizing the trafficking, phenotype, and functional states of adaptive immune cells within the brain parenchyma, meninges, and cerebrospinal fluid in neurodegeneration.

- Immune profiling and biomarker discovery: Studies employing single-cell omics, flow cytometry, or other high-dimensional approaches to define adaptive immune signatures associated with disease stage, progression, or subtype.

- Autoimmune contributions to disease onset and progression: Work exploring whether autoimmune mechanisms precede, accompany, or accelerate neurodegeneration, including epidemiological and longitudinal cohort analyses.

- Neuroimmune crosstalk and antigen presentation: Mechanistic studies on how microglia, astrocytes, and other CNS-resident cells interact with the adaptive immune system to shape neuroinflammatory responses.

- Immunomodulatory therapeutic strategies: Preclinical and clinical studies evaluating immune-based interventions — including vaccination, checkpoint modulation, regulatory T cell therapies, and immunosuppressive approaches — in Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and related dementias.

- Shared and divergent immune pathways across neurodegenerative disorders: Comparative analyses identifying common or disease-specific adaptive immune mechanisms that may inform precision medicine approaches.

Are you interested in contributing a manuscript to this Research Topic?

Adaptive immune involvement in Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, and related dementias