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Brain-immune interactions are essential to maintain health and their dysfunction contributes to diverse human diseases. Recent data show that haematopoietic processes and immune organs are under central autonomic control. Deficient regulation of inflammatory events contributes to brain diseases, whereas acute or chronic brain injury is linked with the development of systemic inflammatory conditions or immunosuppression. At present, common disorders with high socio-economic burden such as cancer, cardiovascular-, neuroinflammatory- and neurodegenerative diseases, asthma, allergies, autism, psychiatric conditions and sepsis are believed to be influenced, at least in part, by the dysfunction of...
These proceedings focus on different areas of research, with special emphasis on relating the state of the art (basic) neuroimmunomodulation research to its potential practical application in specific fields. Among these, the role of pro-and anti-inflammatory cytokines in the central nervous system; peripheral mechanisms of neuroimmunomodulation; behavioural studies and immunity; and neuroimmunomodulation correlates in autoimmune disease represent areas of particular interest. Also highlighted are studies related to the role of melatonin as an immunomodulatory hormone (an area of explosive growth), as well as the emerging field of neuroendocrine regulation of haematopoiesis. Clinical studies in cancer, allergy, AIDs and other infectious diseases will focus upon neuroimmunomodulation-based mechanisms, and suggest new therapeutic approaches.
Cephalopods (octopus, squid, cuttlefish) are among the most intelligent invertebrates, with highly developed nervous systems which provide excellent model systems for investigating basic questions in neuroscience. Within the last five years, many of the powerful techniques of molecular biology and electrophysiology have been applied to cephalopods, with exciting results. In 32 chapters, this book provides a comprehensive overview of the functioning of the cephalopod nervous system, from the cellular level to their complex sensory systems, locomotion, learning, and social behavior. It will be of interest to both vertebrate and invertebrate neurobiologists, and by anyone interested in the basic principles that control neural function.
Primitive species are capable of recognition and defence, thus lessons learned from them can provide a basis for understanding strategies that vertebrate animals have adopted. The papers in this volume explore the mechanisms of multicellular organisms used to distinguish between self and non-self in response to parasitism or infection. Studies of these mechanisms used by primitive species for their defences have extensive implications for understanding the evolution of immunity and problems of human health and disease.
Spina bifida (SB) is a neural tube defect (a disorder involving incomplete development of the brain, spinal cord, and/or their protective coverings) caused by the failure of the foetus's spine to close properly during the first month of pregnancy. Infants born with SB sometimes have an open lesion on their spine where significant damage to the nerves and spinal cord has occurred. Although the spinal opening can be surgically repaired shortly after birth, the nerve damage is permanent, resulting in varying degrees of paralysis of the lower limbs. Even when there is no lesion present there may be improperly formed or missing vertebrae and accompanying nerve damage. In addition to physical and ...
The brain functions within an internal environment that is determined and controlled by morphological structures and cellular mechanisms present at interfaces between the brain and the rest of the body. In vertebrates these interfaces are across cerebral blood vessels (blood-brain barrier) choroid plexuses (blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier) and pia-arachnoid. There is a CSF-brain barrier in the neuroepithelium lining the ventricular system that is only present in embryos. There is now substantial evidence that many brain barrier mechanisms develop early and that in some cases they are functionally more active and even more specialized compared to adult barriers. Therefore barriers in develo...
This comprehensive resource details the history, methodology and development of research into psychoneuroimmunology, balancing it with meticulous coverage of both the clinical aspects and practical applications of the subject. A much-needed reference including overviews of key advances in the field Discusses how psychoneuroimmunological research is conceived and executed Includes contributions from a wealth of experts in the field Forward by Robert Ader and Nicholas Cohen, founders of the discipline Authoritative and interdisciplinary in scope - integrating biological and behavioral science