This is a presistant myth that the brain is immune prividleged. Central to brain function are the non-nueral cells called microglia. Microglia are the mobile resident immune cells in the brain. They are key players in immune surveillance, host defense, and tissue repair in the CNS. In response to immunological challenges, microglia readily become activated as characterized by morphological changes, expression of surface antigens, and production of immune modulators that impact on neurons to induce neurodegeneration.
The early and close association of activated microglia with degenerating neurons in the HD brain tells me that activated microglia are primary in HD pathogenesis.
I can not devise any argument that HD is not an autoimmune disorder. If you believe that HD is an autoimmune disorder, you will also believe that agents that modulate the immune system will affect the progression of HD. --Jerry 04-Apl-2001