Interactions between the immune, endocrine and nervous systems seldom appear as main issues in the neurosciences and in immunology. So far this was most likely due to the need to focus on the molecular and cellular bases of single neural, endocrine and immune processes. But hormones, neurotransmitters and neuropeptides can also influence more subtle mechanisms underlying immune cell activity. The contents of this volume aim at listing some aspects which show that not only the bases for neuroendocrine control of more refined mechanisms related to the organization and functioning of the immune systems to exist, but also that the immune system can actively communicate with neuroendocrine structures. The evidence is divided into three categories: - Anatomical, cellular and molecular bases for the exchange of information between immune, endocrine and neural cells, - reciprocal effects between immune and neuroendocrine mechanisms, and - immune-neuroendocrine regulatory circuits. Immunologically triggered neuroendocrine responses can be either beneficial or deleterious for the host. A systematic approach would imply the simultaneous evaluation of neuroendocrine and immune parameters and thus provide the basis for therapeutic interventions based on antagonizing or blocking undesirable effects.

The concepts of the neuroendocrine system and the immune system emerged more or less simultaneously in the second half of the 20th century. Although these systems have a high degree of autonomy, it has also become clear that they interact in many ways and at different levels. This book focuses on the neuroendocrine and immune interactions that are fundamental to normal development and maintenance of health. The first introductory chapters are devoted to the historical and philosophical concepts within the field, as well as evolutionary considerations, offering critical interdisciplinary perspectives on the development of this field of research. Without attempting an exhaustive overview, the book then introduces some of the regulatory pathways that mediate interactions between the neuroendocrine and immune systems and examines modulating factors such as age and sex. In addition, several chapters address the importance of neuroendocrine-immune interactions in some disease states. Readers can expect to gain a broad perspective of neuroendocrine-immune interactions in development, health, and disease, along with a critical evaluation of current methods used in the field. Given its scope, the book is essential reading for undergraduate and graduate students with an interest in neuroendocrinology, neuroimmunology, and neuroscience, as well as postdoctoral fellows and established researchers seeking a comprehensive overview and historical perspective of the field of neuroendocrine-immune interactions.

This informative publication updates the study of interaction of the nervous and endocrine systems with the immune system in the body. It describes the anatomical basis of these interactions, reviewing the innervation of lymphoid tissue and mast cells. The book discusses the effect of the endocrine system on immune function, including the relation of sex to the immune response. Emphasis is given to opioids, substance P, neurotensin, vasoactive intestinal peptide, somatostatin and cholecystokinin. Also addressed is the immunoregulatory effect of leukotrienes and platelet-activating factors. Scrutinized within are stress as an aspect of neuro-immune interactions, and the central role of the hypothalamus in this context. The book reviews the eye and the gastrointestinal tract with respect to the coordination of the nervous, endocrine, and immune systems in serving these organs. This work is of particular value to those in immunology, endocrinology, gastroenterology, and developmental biology.

This book is designed as an introductory text in neuroendocrinology; the study of the interaction between the brain and endocrine system and the influence of this on behaviour. The endocrine glands, pituitary gland and hypothalamus and their interactions and hormones are discussed. The action of steroid and thyroid hormone receptors and the regulation of target cell response to hormones is examined. The function of neuropeptides is discussed with respect to the neuroendocrine system and behaviour. The neuroimmune system and lymphokines are described and the interaction between the neuroendocrine and neuroimmune systems discussed. Finally, methods for studying hormonal influences on behaviour are outlined. Each chapter has review and essay questions designed for advanced students and honours or graduate students with a background in neuroscience, respectively.

This volume represents the proceedings of the 2nd annual symposium on the Brain Immune Axis and Substance Abuse held at the Breakers Hotel in Palm Beach, FL in June 1994. The history of productive studies concerning the relationship between the nervous and the immune systems is relatively recent. Studies on the effects of drugs of abuse on the immune system and on infections among individuals who abuse drugs are also of recent vintage. Only in the last decade have investigators begun to describe the role of drugs of abuse and their endogenous counterparts on the brain-immune axis. Thus, the involvement of the neuroendocrine system in the interactions of drugs of abuse and the immune system has only recently been appreciated. In addition, it has been recognized that direct neural inputs impact immune function. Given the complexity of these interactions, characterization of biologically significant phenomena and elucidation of their mechanisms of action often requires a multidisciplinary approach. This meeting, on which the chapters in this book are based, brought together scientists from an array of biomedical disciplines whose work is focused on the effects of drugs of abuse on the neuro-endocrine immune axis. The meeting was unique in focusing on the brain-immune axis from the viewpoint of drugs of abuse rather than either immunity itself or the brain itself. Presentations addressed the direct effects of drugs of abuse on various components of the immune system, as well as those mediated indirectly by the central nervous system and the neuroendocrine system.

Interactions between the immune, endocrine and nervous systems seldom appear as main issues in the neurosciences and in immunology. So far this was most likely due to the need to focus on the molecular and cellular bases of single neural, endocrine and immune processes. But hormones, neurotransmitters and neuropeptides can also influence more subtle mechanisms underlying immune cell activity. The contents of this volume aim at listing some aspects which show that not only the bases for neuroendocrine control of more refined mechanisms related to the organization and functioning of the immune systems do exist, but also that the immune system can actively communicate with neuroendocrine structures. The evidence is divided into three categories: - anatomical, cellular and molecular bases for the exchange of information between immune, endocrine and neural cells - reciprocal effects between immune and neuroendocrine mechanisms - immune-neuroendocrine regulatory circuits Immunologically triggered neuroendocrine responses can be either beneficial or deleterious for the host. A systematic approach would imply the simultaneous evaluation of neuro-endocrine and immune parameters and thus provide the basis for therapeutic interventions based on antagonizing or blocking undesirable effects.