Special issue commentary: The changing face of inflammation in the brain

The study of inflammation in the brain has been extended to include a wide range of conditions, but there remains plenty of argument over semantics and the precise definition of what constitutes inflammation in these pathologies. In this special issue, we sought to highlight the diversity of what is considered to be inflammation in the brain, and we have accepted that the presence of microglia cells with altered morphology remains a useful starting point. However, it is clear that whatever is the molecular expression profile that accompanies an activated microglial cell, it is not static and it is influenced by factors both intrinsic and extrinsic to the brain. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled 'Neuroinflammation in neurodegeneration and neurodysfunction'. (c) 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.