Neuro-immune modulation in immune-mediated neurological disorders: mechanisms, pathways, and therapeutic frontiers

The rapidly advancing field of neuroimmunology has revealed that the nervous, immune, and endocrine systems maintain continuous, bidirectional communication essential for central and peripheral homeostasis. Disruption of this neuro-immune dialogue contributes to the onset and progression of immune-mediated neurological disorders such as multiple sclerosis, autoimmune encephalitis, and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders. Meanwhile, neuromodulation technologies—including Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS), Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), and Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS)—have emerged as promising tools to restore disrupted neural circuits. However, a key frontier remains underexplored: how targeted modulation of neural activity influences peripheral and central immune networks, glial cell behavior, and neuroinflammation. Understanding this interface between electrical or magnetic signaling and immune modulation could reshape therapeutic paradigms for neuroimmunological diseases.This Research Topic aims to move beyond correlative findings to mechanistic understanding, elucidating how neuromodulatory interventions shape immune responses and influence disease outcomes. We welcome contributions that explore immunoregulatory pathways engaged by different stimulation modalities—electrical, magnetic, pharmacological, or optogenetic—and dissect the cellular and molecular mediators linking neural activation to immune function. Key questions include: What are the specific immune mechanisms (e.g., glial reprogramming, blood–brain barrier regulation, cytokine network remodeling, peripheral leukocyte trafficking) underlying the therapeutic effects of neuromodulation in disorders like multiple sclerosis, autoimmune encephalitis, or NMOSD? How can immune biomarkers be leveraged to optimize stimulation parameters, monitor treatment efficacy, or predict relapses? By integrating concepts from neuroimmunology and bioelectronic medicine, this Research Topic seeks to establish a mechanistic foundation for precision neuromodulation strategies in immune-mediated diseases.To gather further insights into neuro-immune modulation within the context of autoimmune and inflammatory neurological disorders, we welcome articles addressing but not limited to the following themes:• Mechanistic Insights: Characterization of how neuromodulation affects microglial and astroglial phenotypes, T/B cell responses, and cytokine signaling in neuroinflammatory settings.• Technology and Methodology: Development of tools such as spatial and single-cell omics, real-time neural–immune imaging, and bioelectronic interfaces for studying neuro-immune dynamics.• Disease-Specific Applications: Investigations into neuromodulation-induced immune alterations in immune-mediated neurological disorders and brain injuries, including but not limited to multiple sclerosis, autoimmune encephalitis, NMOSD, and other demyelinating or antibody-mediated conditions.• Translational and Clinical Research: Clinical and preclinical studies linking stimulation parameters to immune biomarkers or exploring combined neuromodulatory and immunotherapeutic approaches.• Systems-Level Perspectives: Theoretical or computational frameworks integrating neuro-immune communication and circuit-based therapeutic control. Topic editors: Haoxiao Chang, Junqiang Yan, Wenwei Shao, Jingyan Zhao, Yuan Cai Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/81472/neuro-immune-modulation-in-immune-mediated-neurological-disorders-mechanisms-pathways-and-therapeutic-frontiers