The contribution of antigen-presenting cell (APC) types in generating CD8⁺ T cell responses in the central nervous system (CNS) is not fully defined, limiting the development of vaccines and understanding of immune-mediated neuropathology. Here, we generate a transgenic mouse that enables cell-specific deletion of the H-2Kb MHC class I molecule. By deleting H-2K^b on dendritic cells and macrophages, we compare the effect of each APC in three distinct models of neuroinflammation: picornavirus infection, experimental cerebral malaria, and a syngeneic glioma. Dendritic cells and macrophages both activate CD8⁺ T cell responses in response to these CNS immunological challenges. However, the extent to which each of these APCs contributes to CD8⁺ T cell priming varies. These findings reveal distinct functions for dendritic cells and macrophages in generating CD8⁺ T cell responses to neurological disease.