The endotoxin hypothesis of neurodegeneration

The endotoxin hypothesis of neurodegeneration is the hypothesis that endotoxin causes or contributes to neurodegeneration. Endotoxin is a lipopolysaccharide (LPS), constituting much of the outer membrane of gram-negative bacteria, present at high concentrations in gut, gums and skin and in other tissue during bacterial infection. Blood plasma levels of endotoxin are normally low, but are elevated during infections, gut inflammation, gum disease and neurodegenerative disease. Adding endotoxin at such levels to blood of healthy humans induces systemic inflammation and brain microglial activation. Adding high levels of endotoxin to the blood or body of rodents induces microglial activation, priming and/or…

• W
  Wellcome

  Award: RG50995
• AR
  Alzheimer’s Research UK

  Award: RG91100
• IM
  Innovative Medicines Initiative

  Award: 115976
• MR
  Medical Research Council

  Awards: MR/L010593/1, MR/L010593