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Neuroimmunology Glossary

100 terms total — 24 showing — Last updated 15 Sep 2026

Susac syndrome

Professional Technical IVT

Autoimmune microangiopathy affecting brain, retina, and inner ear, causing the classic triad of encephalopathy, branch retinal artery occlusions, and sensorineural hearing loss.

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cortical spreading depression

Advanced Technical IVT

A wave of neuronal and glial depolarization that propagates across cortical tissue, often triggering neuroinflammatory r...

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CSF cytology

Intermediate Technical IVT

Microscopic examination of cerebrospinal fluid cells to detect abnormal or malignant cells.

Technical Term Full entry →

CSF-serum glucose ratio

Intermediate Technical IVT

The ratio of cerebrospinal fluid glucose to simultaneous serum glucose, used to assess CNS metabolism and infection.

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CSF-specific oligoclonal bands

Advanced Technical IVT

Immunoglobulin bands present in cerebrospinal fluid but absent in serum, indicating local CNS antibody production.

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CXCL13

Advanced Technical IVT

A B-cell-attracting chemokine elevated in cerebrospinal fluid during active neuroinflammation.

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cytokine storm

Advanced Technical IVT

Excessive inflammatory response characterized by overproduction of inflammatory mediators, seen in severe neuroimmunolog...

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DAMPs

Advanced Technical IVT

Damage-associated molecular patterns released by injured CNS cells that trigger sterile neuroinflammation through patter...

Abbreviation Full entry →

Dawson's fingers

Professional Technical IVT

Characteristic ovoid lesions perpendicular to ventricles on MRI, pathognomonic for multiple sclerosis.

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demyelination

Intermediate Technical IVT

Loss of myelin sheath around nerve fibers, a key pathological process in many neuroimmunological disorders.

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DNT

Advanced Technical IVT

DNA nicking and tailing assay used to detect apoptotic cell death in neuroinflammatory conditions.

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EDSS

Professional Technical IVT

Expanded Disability Status Scale used to quantify disability progression in multiple sclerosis patients.

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encephalomyelitis

Intermediate Technical IVT

Simultaneous inflammation of the brain and spinal cord, often immune-mediated.

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epitope spreading

Professional Technical IVT

The progressive immune recognition of new self-antigens during chronic autoimmune disease.

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An animal model of multiple sclerosis induced by immunization with CNS antigens.

EAE
Technical Term Full entry →

fingolimod

Professional Technical IVT

An oral sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor modulator used as disease-modifying therapy for multiple sclerosis.

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FLAIR

Intermediate Technical IVT

MRI sequence that suppresses cerebrospinal fluid signal to better visualize periventricular lesions in neuroimmunologica...

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FLAIR sequence

Professional Technical IVT

Fluid-attenuated inversion recovery MRI sequence that suppresses CSF signal to highlight periventricular lesions.

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gadolinium enhancement

Intermediate Technical IVT

Contrast agent uptake on MRI indicating blood-brain barrier breakdown and active inflammation in neuroimmunological dise...

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glymphatic system

Advanced Technical IVT

Brain-wide clearance pathway that removes metabolic waste and facilitates CSF-interstitial fluid exchange during sleep.

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HLA-DRB1

Advanced Technical IVT

Human leukocyte antigen gene strongly associated with multiple sclerosis susceptibility and disease course.

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IgG index

Advanced Technical IVT

A calculated ratio that determines whether elevated CSF immunoglobulin G represents local CNS synthesis or systemic leak...

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immunoprivilege

Advanced Technical IVT

Unique immunological status of the CNS that limits inflammatory responses to protect neural tissue.

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immunosenescence

Advanced Technical IVT

Age-related decline in immune system function affecting both innate and adaptive immunity.

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inflammasome activation

Advanced Technical IVT

The assembly and triggering of multiprotein complexes that process inflammatory cytokines in response to cellular stress...

Technical Term Full entry →
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