The role of peripheral immunity in ALS: a population-based study.
Maurizio GrassanoUmberto ManeraFabiola De MarchiPaolo CugnascoEnrico MatteoniMargherita DaviddiLuca SoleroAlessandro BombaciFrancesca PalumboRosario VastaAntonio CanosaPaolina SalamoneGiuseppe FudaFederico CasaleLetizia MazziniAndrea CalvoCristina MogliaAdriano ChiòPublished in: Annals of clinical and translational neurology (2023)
The dysregulation of the systemic immune system plays a multifaceted role in ALS. More specifically, an elevated innate immune response is associated with faster progression and reduced survival. Conversely, ALS patients with cognitive impairment showed a reduction in monocyte count. Additionally, immune response varied according to sex and age, thus suggesting that involved immune pathways are patient specific. Further studies will help translate those findings into clinical practice or targeted treatments.