Apoptotic cell death in neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative diseases

Apoptotic cell death has gained increased importance in neurobiology and ne uroimmunology. Although apoptosis is per se defined by morphology, it is in timately linked to a series of molecular events and has a wide array of fun ctional implications. Here, we summarise the available detection assays for apoptosis and the current state of research concerning T cell apoptosis in neuroimmunology and apoptotic neuronal cell death in neurodegeneration and ischemia. There is a clear therapeutic potential by induction of apoptosis in inflammatory diseases. Furthermore, protection from apoptotic cell deat h may be a promising tool in neurodegenerative and ischemic processes. In t he future, this will necessitate a close cooperation between different fiel ds of biology research.