Extracellular DNA as a therapeutic target in neurodegeneration

A method for treating and/or inhibiting progression of primary neurodegeneration in a patient in need thereof, comprising administering to said patient a therapeutically effective amount of a DNase enzyme, wherein the neurodegeneration is associated with an increased level of extracellular DNA of prokaryotic origin in blood or cerebrospinal fluid or intestine of said patient, and wherein said therapeutically effective amount of the DNase enzyme is sufficient to decrease the average molecular weight of said extracellular DNA of prokaryotic origin.