Cyclooxygenase and neuroinflammation in Parkinson's disease neurodegeneration.

Cyclooxygenase (COX) expression in the brain is associated with pro-inflammatory activities, which are instrumental in neurodegenerative processes such as Parkinson's disease (PD). It is discussed that drugs with the capacity to rescue dopaminergic neurons from microglia toxicity and neuroinflammatory processes may result in an amelioration of parkinsonian symptoms by delaying the onset or slowing progression. This article reviews the involvement of COX in neuroinflammation, specifically focussing at the role of selective COX-2 inhibition in neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration in Parkinson's disease.