In summary, the findings presented support a connection between blood and brain proinflammatory responses, with the magnitude of peak blood proinflammatory cytokines being reflected in the degree of brain microglial activation and neuroinflammatory responses. Multiple mechanisms converge upon microglial activation that contributes to neurodegeneration (Figure 13). Proinflammatory amplification induced neuronal NADPH oxidase, superoxide formation and increased markers of neuronal death. Naltrexone and minocycline block microglial activation and neurodegeneration supporting the role of microglia contributing to neurodegeneration.
