APA Dictionary of Psychology

n. the activation of the immune response within the nervous system, including the brain and spinal cord, often involving glial cells and the release of inflammatory mediators. It can be triggered by injury, infection, toxins, autoimmune activity, or other factors. Neuroinflammation is thought to contribute to the cognitive, behavioral, and functional changes observed in neurodegenerative diseases (e.g., Alzheimer’s disease, Huntington’s disease, multiple sclerosis), certain infections, and some psychiatric conditions (e.g., schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, mood disorders). While it plays a role in these conditions, it is typically one component among multiple interacting biological and environmental factors. See also inflammation.