Neuroimmunologists

Neuroimmunology is a rapidly growing scientific field that bridges the study of neuroscience and immunology. Neuroimmunologists examine the complex interactions between neurons and the immune system, looking to uncover how they affect physical and mental functioning. By understanding how the nervous and immune systems are connected, neuroimmunologists have the potential to revolutionize treatments for a wide array of diseases. Additionally, this research can help identify biomarkers to assess risk for many disorders before symptoms are present. Neuroimmunologists investigate how the immune system influences the central and peripheral nervous systems. The immune system produces many molecules and cells in response to threat, infection, or damage. These can act on neural networks in the central nervous system (CNS) to alter behavior and cognition. One example is the inflammatory cytokines that are released in response to stress, which can impair neural plasticity and cognitive function. In the periphery, the immune system plays a role in the maintenance of the myelin sheaths that surround nerve fibers. Without these protective sheaths, electrical signals can be disrupted which can lead to serious neurological conditions like multiple sclerosis. Neuroimmunology also focuses on the way neurochemicals influence the immune system. Neurotransmitters, specifically dopamine and neurotransmitter levels, have been found to affect immune cell development and activity. Opposite effects have also been observed, where abnormal immune system signalling can lead to changes in neurotransmitter levels. Thus, neuroimmunological research has uncovered an intricate bi-directional relationship between the brain and immune system. Finally, neuroimmunological research holds promise in understanding the immunological factors underlying mental illness and neurodegenerative disorders. Although we do not yet have a complete understanding of the involvement of the immune system in these disorders, therapies that specifically target the immune system are currently being explored. By understanding the intricate interactions between the brain and immune system, neuroimmunologists are paving the way for new treatments and therapies for these complex conditions.