Unexpected Neuroimmunological Findings in CNS Diseases

Presentation Description / Summary:
In this lecture neuroimmunological findings in idiopathic epilepsy and spinal cord injury in dogs will be presented. These diseases are not primary inflammatory diseases, but in the pathogenesis changes of the immune system do occur. Besides microglia activation and increase of cytokine production, special subsets of T cells, such as Th17 and regulatory T cells are found in a subpopulation of patients and could contribute to the outcome of the disease. The following examples were described: elevated Th17 levels were detected in dogs with cluster seizures and status epilepticus. In addition, higher levels of regulatory T cells were detected in dogs with epilepsy and a satisfying seizure reduction.  In a longterm follow up study over 14 months in dogs with intervertebral disc extrusion these T cell subsets did not differ anymore significantly in recovered and healthy control dogs. In contrast, in the acute stage of the disease, these cell populations differed significantly from controls and interleukin 17 was produced. Novel treatment strategies could focus on the described neuroimmunological findings.

Learner Outcomes:
1. to discuss neuroimmunological abnormalities, when the outcome of dogs with idiopathic epilepsy or spinal cord injury is not satisfactory. 2. to learn about additional features in the pathogenesis of the diseases and discuss the development of treatment strategies.