Neurodegeneration and -protection in autoimmune CNS inflammation

Neurodegeneration in multiple sclerosis (MS) is the structural correlate of permanent neurological disability in patients. The histopathological features of neurodegeneration include destruction of axons as well as apoptotic cell death of neuronal cell bodies. Therapeutic efforts to control these clinically important aspects of MS pathology showed limited success so far. In this review article, we give an overview about the current knowledge concerning the molecular mechanisms of neurodegeneration in autoimmune inflammation that is mainly derived from animal models. Further, we critically discuss experimental neuroprotective strategies with respect to their functional relevance and differentiate between anti-apoptotic and axon protective treatment approaches.