NEUROINFLAMMATION AS A THERAPEUTIC TARGET IN AMYOTROPHIC LATERAL SCLEROSIS (ALS): MECHANISMS, SIGNIFICANCE, AND EMERGING INTERVENTIONS

Kornelia Kazmierkiewicz-Makanga; Weronika Spychalska; Emilia Piotrowicz; Filip Witowicz; Julia Glińska; Aleksandra Krawczyk; Wiktoria Waldon; Paulina Sumlet; Maria Gofron; Michał Duliński

doi:10.31435/ijitss.1(49).2026.5105

Authors

Kornelia Kazmierkiewicz-Makanga Nicolaus Copernicus University, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Bydgoszcz, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0008-1145-0302
Weronika Spychalska University Clinical Centre, Gdańsk, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0005-1224-4330
Emilia Piotrowicz Antoni Jurasz University Hospital, Bydgoszcz, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0001-7133-7001
Filip Witowicz University Clinical Centre, Gdańsk, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0009-9600-2628
Julia Glińska University Clinical Centre, Gdańsk, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0007-6212-0541
Aleksandra Krawczyk Copernicus PL Sp z o. o. Hospital św. Wojciecha, Gdańsk, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0006-6317-1204
Wiktoria Waldon University Clinical Centre, Gdańsk, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0008-4389-7205
Paulina Sumlet 7th Naval Hospital in Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0008-1978-6409
Maria Gofron Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0001-2719-5894
Michał Duliński Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0004-2157-1053

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31435/ijitss.1(49).2026.5105

Keywords:

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Neuroinflammation, Microglia, Astrocytes, Targeted Therapy, Microbiota

Abstract

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is an incurable neurodegenerative disease leading to the loss of motor neurons and progressive paralysis. Increasing evidence suggests that chronic neuroinflammation plays a key role in its development. Excessive activation of microglia, toxic reprogramming of astrocytes, and the activation of NF-κB, NLRP3, and C5a–C5aR1 signaling pathways drive neuronal damage. Literature review shows that therapeutic interventions targeting neuroinflammation demonstrate promising effects in preclinical models, but their clinical efficacy remains limited. Additionally, emerging studies suggest a role of gut microbiota in modulating inflammatory responses via the gut–brain axis. This review discusses neuroinflammatory mechanisms, their role in ALS progression, and potential therapeutic strategies, highlighting the need for further research into inflammation biomarkers and personalized therapies.

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