Inflammation is defined as a protective reaction of the body against injury or infection. Inflammatory mechanisms are fully integrated into every organ of the body, working closely with the immune system to protect and repair tissues. Neuroinflammation refers to the inflammatory processes within the central nervous system (CNS): the brain and spinal cord. Because the CNS has an additional protective layer separating it from the blood – the blood-brain barrier – inflammatory processes in the brain are slightly different than in the body, using different cells and pathways. This talk will first define neuroinflammation, then present various forms of neuroinflammation through the eyes of a neuroradiologist using real-world case-based examples. As most of the audience will have little neuroanatomical background, relevant brain anatomy will be reviewed to set the stage for a more detailed presentation of the physiology of neuroinflammation, including the main biological components (cells, membranes, chemical factors) and how they interact to generate an inflammatory response to injury.

Acknowledgements

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