Alternative microglial activation is associated with cessation of progressive dopamine neuron loss in mice systemically administered lipopolysaccharide.

Inflammation arising from central and/or peripheral sources contributes to the pathogenesis of multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Parkinson's disease (PD). Emerging data suggest that differential activation of glia could lead to the pathogenesis and progression of PD. Here, we sought to determine the relationship between lipopolysaccharide (LPS) treatment, loss of dopaminergic neurons and differential activation of glia.