摘要：

Degenerative diseases of the central nervous system (CNS) are characterized by progressive degeneration, which continues even after the primary causative factor has been identified and neutralized or removed. The progressive degeneration is thought to be a self-perpetuating process, attributable in part to factors derived from the degenerating nerves themselves. If this is so, the mediators of toxicity causing secondary degeneration in the various degenerative diseases are likely to be similar. Common mediators include excitatory amino acids, compounds that cause oxidative or metabolic stress, and factors that disturb the ionic balance of the nerve's extracellular milieu. It is proposed here, based on recent work by the author and by others on CNS trauma and autoimmunity, as well as on accumulated information about the professional role of the adaptive and the immune response in general, that active or passive T cell-mediated autoimmunity directed against self-antigens associated with the disorder will be beneficial in halting the spread of damage. Drug Dev. Res. 50:223-225, 2000. 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

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