What is the Origin of C-Reactive Protein Neurology?

C-Reactive Protein was originally identified as a protein reacting to the C-polysaccharide of Streptococcus pneumoniae. The convergence with 'neurology' stems from decades of epidemiological and mechanistic research linking chronic, low-grade systemic inflammation to cognitive decline and neurodegenerative processes. This specialized term highlights the critical neuro-endocrine-immune axis.

What is the Mechanism of C-Reactive Protein Neurology?

Although CRP itself may not directly cross the blood-brain barrier in large amounts, its elevated systemic presence reflects a cytokine milieu that can disrupt neurovascular unit integrity and activate resident immune cells in the brain, such as microglia. This chronic activation leads to sustained neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and eventual synaptic dysfunction. Consequently, managing systemic inflammation is a viable strategy for neuroprotection.

C-Reactive Protein Neurology ∞ Area

C-Reactive Protein Neurology

Meaning

This term refers to the clinical and scientific focus on the role of C-Reactive Protein (CRP) as a measurable biomarker of systemic inflammation and its specific implications for neurological health and function. While CRP is primarily synthesized in the liver in response to inflammatory cytokines, elevated levels are strongly correlated with neuroinflammation and various central nervous system pathologies. Understanding this connection is essential for a comprehensive view of brain health and disease risk. High sensitivity CRP assays are used clinically to quantify this inflammatory burden and guide preventative strategies.