Activation of the cellular immune system is discussed to be partly responsible in the neurodegenerative process of Parkinson's disease. We determined concentrations of neopterin, of cytokine interleukin-6, and of soluble cytokine receptors sIL-2Rα, sTNF-R75α in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid in controls and patients with vascular parkinsonism and idiopathic Parkinson's disease diagnosed according to published clinical diagnostic criteria, to examine if the cellular immune system is activated locally or peripherally or both. Our results show no activation in idiopathic Parkinson's disease and controls, but a significant increased activation in vascular parkinsonism, where concomitant signs of cerebrovascular disease are present.
