Abstract
Sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (sALS) is a progressive neuroinflammatory disease of spinal cord motor neurons of unclear etiology. Blood from 38 patients with sALS, 28 aged-match controls, and 25 Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients were evaluated and activated monocyte/macrophages were observed in all patients with sALS and AD; the degree of activation was directly related to the rate of sALS disease progression. Other parameters of T-cell activation and immune globulin levels showed similar disease associated changes. These data are consistent with a disease model previously suggested for AD, wherein systemic immunologic activation plays an active role in sALS.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
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Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
MeSH terms
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Adult
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Aged
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Aged, 80 and over
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Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / drug therapy
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Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / immunology*
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Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / pathology
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CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
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CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / pathology
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Cross-Sectional Studies
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Disease Progression
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Female
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Humans
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Immune System / immunology*
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Immune System / metabolism
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Immune System / pathology*
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Immunoglobulin G / blood
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Immunoglobulin M / blood
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Immunosuppression Therapy
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Lymphocyte Activation
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Macrophage Activation
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Male
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Middle Aged
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Severity of Illness Index
Substances
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Immunoglobulin G
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Immunoglobulin M