Neuroimmunology Glossary
100 terms total — 24 showing — Last updated 15 Sep 2026
Susac syndrome
Autoimmune microangiopathy affecting brain, retina, and inner ear, causing the classic triad of encephalopathy, branch retinal artery occlusions, and sensorineural hearing loss.
neurosarcoidosis
Neurological manifestation of systemic sarcoidosis involving granulomatous inflammation of nervous system structures.
neurotropic virus
A virus with specific affinity for nervous system tissue, often triggering immune-mediated CNS complications.
neurotropism
Preferential targeting of nervous system tissue by pathogens, often leading to neuroinflammatory disease.
NMDA receptor
N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor, a glutamate receptor critical for synaptic plasticity and memory formation.
ocrelizumab
A humanized anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody approved for both relapsing and primary progressive multiple sclerosis.
oligoclonal bands
Distinct protein bands found in cerebrospinal fluid electrophoresis, indicating intrathecal immunoglobulin synthesis in...
optic neuritis
Inflammatory demyelination of the optic nerve, often the presenting symptom of multiple sclerosis.
PANDAS
Pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections, involving sudden onset of OCD...
paramagnetic rim lesions
MS lesions with iron-laden activated microglia at their borders, visible on susceptibility-weighted MRI.
paraneoplastic limbic encephalitis
Autoimmune inflammation of limbic brain structures triggered by underlying malignancy, causing memory loss and behaviora...
paraneoplastic neurological syndrome
Immune-mediated neurological disorder caused by cancer but not due to direct tumor invasion or metastasis.
paraneoplastic syndrome
Neurological dysfunction caused by immune response to cancer, not direct tumor effects.
PBMC
Peripheral blood mononuclear cells isolated from blood samples for immunological research.
perilesional edema
Fluid accumulation surrounding inflammatory brain lesions, visible on MRI imaging.
perivascular cuffing
Histopathological finding characterized by inflammatory cell infiltration around blood vessels in the CNS.
PIRA
Progression independent of relapse activity in multiple sclerosis, representing disability accumulation without clinical...
PLEX
Plasma exchange therapy used to remove pathogenic antibodies in severe neuroinflammatory conditions.
PML-IRIS
Immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome occurring in progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy patients after immun...
radiologically isolated syndrome
Incidental MRI findings suggestive of multiple sclerosis in asymptomatic individuals.
rituximab
A monoclonal antibody targeting CD20-positive B cells used in neuroimmunological conditions.
smoldering MS
A proposed MS phenotype characterized by ongoing tissue damage without evident clinical relapses or new MRI lesions.
Susac syndrome
Autoimmune microangiopathy affecting brain, retina, and inner ear, causing the classic triad of encephalopathy, branch r...
T2 hyperintensity
Bright signal appearance on T2-weighted MRI sequences indicating tissue abnormalities in neuroimmunological conditions.
Th1 cells
T-helper 1 cells that produce pro-inflammatory cytokines and promote cell-mediated immunity in CNS inflammation.