Immunosuppression in Multiple Sclerosis and Other Neurologic Disorders

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease of the central nervous system (CNS) characterized by peripheral immune cell infiltration into the brain and spinal cord, demyelination, glial cell activation, and neuronal damage. Currently there is no cure for MS, however, available disease-modifying agents minimize inflammation in the CNS by various mechanisms. Approved drugs lessen severity of the disease and delay disease progression, however, they are still suboptimal as patients experience adverse effects and varying efficacies. Additionally, there is only one disease-modifying therapy available for the more debilitating, progressive form of MS. This chapter focuses on the presently-available therapeutics and, importantly, the future directions of MS therapy based on preclinical studies and early clinical trials. Immunosuppression in other neurological disorders including neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders, myasthenia gravis, and Guillain-Barré syndrome is also discussed.