Neuroimmunology and Neurodegenerative Diseases

Alzheimer’s Disease • Down Syndrome • Immune System • Meninges • Neuroinflammation • Cognition and Aging • Pregnancy and Cognitive Decline • Vaccine Development • Neurodegeneration

Neuroimmunology is a research field that explores the intricate relationship between the nervous system and the immune system. It investigates how immune cells, either those that enter the brain from the bloodstream or microglial cells that reside within the brain, respond to neurological injury, disease, or the natural aging process. These immune responses can help preserve brain function or, in some cases, contribute to its decline.

Neurodegeneration refers to the progressive deterioration and death of nerve cells in the brain and nervous system, as seen in disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and multiple sclerosis. These processes often result in the loss of critical functions such as memory and motor control.

By studying the immune mechanisms involved in brain inflammation and degeneration, neuroimmunology offers insights that may lead to the development of new therapeutic approaches.

How does the immune system shape brain function throughout life, and how can disruptions in this delicate dialogue accelerate aging and drive neurodegenerative disease?

At the Faculty of Life Sciences at Bar-Ilan University, we investigate the complex interplay between the immune system and the brain, aiming to understand how immune processes influence brain aging, cognition, and the development of neurodegenerative disorders, with a particular focus on Alzheimer’s disease. Our research integrates immunology, neurobiology, brain imaging, Behavior and advanced computational tools, providing a multidisciplinary framework for students eager to tackle fundamental biological questions with broad medical implications.

Pregnancy, the Immune System, and Maternal Brain Aging: Do immune events during pregnancy shape long-term brain health? 

We explore the long-term impact of pregnancy on maternal immunity and brain function, with an emphasis on cases involving fetal genetic or neurological pathology. During pregnancy, a two-way immune dialogue occurs between mother and fetus, including the transfer of cells and immune signals. Our findings suggest that this singular biological event may influence brain aging and the risk of cognitive decline years after childbirth.

The Adaptive Immune System: Beyond Infection Defense to Brain Regulation 

Contrary to the traditional view of the immune system as a passive gatekeeper, our research focuses on its active role in shaping brain aging. We study how lifelong changes in T and B cell function affect neuroinflammation, neural plasticity, and cognitive performance, and how disturbances in this balance contribute to neurodegenerative pathology.

The Meninges as an Immune Control Hub: Linking Brain and Periphery 

The meninges are not merely passive protective layers but dynamic immunological hubs. We investigate how structural and functional changes develop in the meninges during aging and neurodegenerative disease, including the formation of ectopic immune structures in inflamed tissue, and how these changes vary with age, sex, and pathology type, reflecting immune activity that directly impacts disease progression.

Immune Cells, Alzheimer’s, and Neurodegeneration: From Protection to Pathology 

Our research challenges conventional views of immune cells as purely protective. In Alzheimer’s disease, we observe activated B cells accumulating and infiltrating brain tissue, clustering around amyloid plaques. Using experimental models, we examine how genetic or pharmacological suppression of B cells reduces pathological burden, restores microglial function, and improves cognitive outcomes.

Microglial Regulation and Brain Homeostasis: Balancing Protection and Harm 

Microglia are key determinants of brain tissue fate. We investigate how pathogenic immune signals from B and T cells push microglia toward inflammatory and degenerative states, and how removal of specific immune components preserves or restores homeostatic microglial function, slowing disease progression.

Cognition, Behavior, and Computational Tools: Linking Immune Mechanisms to Functional Outcomes 

To connect immune changes with cognitive deficits, we develop computational tools to analyze behavior, navigation, and spatial learning in models of aging and neurodegeneration. These approaches enable sensitive, early detection of cognitive changes and link them to immune mechanisms at both cellular and systemic levels.