[Neuroimmunomodulation: the cross-talk between nervous and immune systems]

Abstract

Objective: Several papers arriving from the neuroimmunomodulation field are showing the relevant relationships between the nervous and the immune systems. A review of studies was carried out to describe the bases of the studies on neuroimmunomodulation.

Experimental models: It is clear nowadays that emotional states such as anxiety and depression change immune system activity, an affect also observed after both stress and use of nervous system acting drugs.

Sick behavior: The behavior displayed by sick organisms might be thought as being a consequence of homeostatic strategies.

Possible mechanism of the action by means of immune system to nervous system: A very big emphasis is being given to Hipothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis, sympathetic nervous system and cytokines participation on nervous system and immune system relationships.

Conclusion: The present revision intend to show some essential studies in the neuroimmunomodulation field; it makes a critical analysis of the mutual relationships between nervous system and immune system.