European Immunology

Neuroimmunology

Neuroimmunology is the study of the interface concerning our central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord) and our immune system. It pays to growth of novel pharmacological treatments for numerous neurological situations. The immune system and the nervous system continue extensive communication, together with 'hardwiring' of sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves to lymphoid organs. Neurotransmitters such as acetylcholine, norepinephrine, vasoactive intestinal peptide, element P and histamine modulate immune activity. Neuroendocrine hormones such as corticotrophin-releasing factor, leptin and alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone normalize cytokine balance. The immune system moderates brain activity, with body temperature, sleep and feeding performance. Molecules such as the main histocompatibility composite not only direct T cells to immunogenic molecules held in its cleft but also moderate growth of neuronal connections. Neurobiologists and immunologists are discovering mutual ideas like the synapse to understand properties such as recall that are common in these two systems.