NCTalks with Robyn Klein: immunology and inflammation in neurological disease


In this edition of NCTalks, we speak to Robyn Klein, a Professor of Medicine, Immunobiology and Neuroscience at Washington University School of Medicine in St Louis, Missouri in the USA.
Robyn’s research focuses on the pathogenesis of neuroinflammatory diseases in the CNS, specifically the mechanism of leukocyte recruitment into the CNS, and the direct effects of inflammatory mediators on resident neural cells. In this interview, we ask Robyn about her work in this area as part of our Spotlight on neuroimmunology – we’ll discuss Robyn’s research, how inflammatory processes contribute to neurologic disease, and whether immunology and inflammation could be the basis of an eventual preventative treatment for neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s.

Summary

00.07 – Introduction

00.57 – Could you tell us a little about your background and what led to you working in the field of neuroinflammation?

04.45 – What are your current research focuses?

06.55 – What effect do inflammatory mediators have on resident neural cells? How could this contribute to neurological symptoms and disease?

10.22 – How significant do you think inflammatory processes are in the mechanisms of neurodegenerative disease?

12.00 – Your lab has also investigated the role of inflammatory cues in regulating CNS repair – do you think this mechanism is something that could be successfully exploited in the future to treat viral infections and neurodegenerative disease?

13.32 – In the last year we have seen a number of high-profile antibody drug trials – yielding both positive and negative results – for a number of neurological diseases. Do you think immunology and inflammation could be the basis of an eventual preventative treatment for neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease?

15.31 – In your opinion, what are the key questions in neuroinflammation and immunology to be addressed in the next 5–10 years?

The views expressed in this interview are those of the speaker and do not necessarily reflect the views of Neuro Central or Future Science Group.