The Janus Kinase/Signal Transducers and Activators of Transcription (JAK/STAT) 
signaling pathway is utilized by numerous cytokines and interferons, and is 
essential for the development and function of both innate and adaptive immunity. 
Aberrant activation of the JAK/STAT pathway is evident in neuroinflammatory 
diseases such as Multiple Sclerosis and Parkinson's Disease. Innate immunity is 
the front line defender of the immune system and is composed of various cell 
types, including microglia, macrophages and neutrophils. Innate immune responses 
have both pathogenic and protective roles in neuroinflammation, depending on 
disease context and the microenvironment in the central nervous system. In this 
review, we discuss the role of innate immunity in the pathogenesis of 
neuroinflammatory diseases, how the JAK/STAT signaling pathway regulates the 
innate immune response, and finally, the potential for ameliorating 
neuroinflammation by utilization of JAK/STAT inhibitors.