The Brain And Host Defense

It is now well recognized that the brain, and especially the hypothalamus, plays an important role in the regulation of immune reactions and inflammation. This book aims to review our current state of knowledge of this important field. Key historical findings are presented, and the reciprocal interactions between the brain and the immune system are examined. Particular emphasis is placed on inflammation, a critical host defense reaction that serves as an effector response for both the adaptive and innate immune systems. Mechanisms implicated in brain defense, as well as in more general host defense, are discussed. The regulatory influences of the brain on inflammatory responses are included with particular reference to the role of the hypothalamus, which is also the main director the hormonal regulation of immune/inflammatory. Gender-related differences in immune responsiveness, circadian modulator of immune responses, and evidence that behavioral conditioning (e.g. reward) of immune responses is possible are used as examples to reinforce the notion that the neuroendocrine system exerts a fundamental and complex regulatory influence on the immune system. * Presents timely issues such as immunological aspects of the blood-brain-barrier and the role of inflammatory mediators in the evolution of strokes and degenerative diseases * Includes analysis of the role of the brain in the adaptive responses to disease * Evaluates the argument that further knowledge of the influence of the brain on the immune system will provide new insights to the pathophysiology infectious and autoimmune diseases

This book provides a lucid summary of behavioral, neural and endocrine regulation of immune responses and of the effects of immune system activity on neural and endocrine functions and behavior. The underlying premise is that the brain and immune system represent a single, integrated system of defense. The discussion includes such topics and stress induced modulation of innate resistance and adaptive immunity in influenza viral infections.

This book presents a unique overview of all aspects of host defense alterations under stressful conditions. It is based on the most important contributions given at the "2nd International Congress on the Immune Consequences of Trauma, Shock, and Sepsis-Mechanisms and Therapeutic Approaches," which was held in Munich under the auspices of the most distinguished scientific societies involved in this field (Society of Critical Care Medicine, European Society of Intensive Care Medicine, Societe Internationale de Chirurgie, Surgical Infection Society, Surgical Infection Society Europe, European Society for Surgical Research, International Society for Burn Injury, American Association for the Surgery of Trauma, and National Institutes of Health). Since the first conference of this kind in 1988, new information from basic studies and clinical trials has provided exciting and novel insights into the immune dysfunctions accom panying trauma, shock, and sepsis. The volume is divided into 18 parts presenting the structural background of trauma-induced alterations of immune and imflammatory mechanisms as well as the currently discussed therapeutic interventions designed to restore or maintain normal host defenses following major injury. Introducing the general theme of the book is a summary of the essential keystones of trauma and sepsis-related immune deficits. Discussions of the progress in trauma care brought through better understanding of the cell biology of injury and of the major clinical factors that influence host defense integrity in operative medicine provide a setting for understanding the wide array of detailed information that is presented thereafter.

Insights to Neuroimmune Biology, Second Edition discusses the systemic regulatory network, coordination, organization, and interpretation of the rapidly accumulating knowledge on the topic of neuroimmune biology, with an ultimate goal of helping readers understand the function of higher organisms, including man, in their entire complexity. This publication provides assessments and interpretations of accumulated experimental evidence, enabling the scientific community to keep abreast of essential advancements of existing knowledge as we search for greater understanding of the biology of higher organisms. Provides information on the importance and applicability of the field of neuroimmunology Describes subjects that have shown significant recent developments Introduces a whole new dimension to neuroimmunology by discussing Epigenetic Immunoregulation Investigates the mechanisms and functions of the Neuroimmune Regulatory Supersystem Promotes translational research in the field of neuroimmune biology Covers challenges, such as dealing with problems of e.g., hypothalamic regulation of immune functions, interrelationships of stress and disease, epigenetic immunoregulation, neuroprotection, and neuroimmune regulation in pregnancy.

Analyzing ground-breaking research, this reference highlights the impact of sleep deprivation on the well-being of the individual and society-presenting current theories on the function of sleep, the effects of sleep deprivation on patients with medical and psychiatric conditions, as well as providing interpretative and methodological results in co

New Insights to Neuroimmune Biology investigates the mechanisms that and functions of the Neuroimmune Regulatory Supersystem. Covering molecular regulation of cytokines in brain astrocytes, immunoregulation by the sympathetic nervous system, circadian regulation of immune reactions, antigen recognition by the CNS, the modulation of the immune response by head injury, neurogenic inflammation, the role of tachykinins in asthma and allergic disease, defence and defeat reactions, cytokines, behavior and affective disorders, increased activity of type 1 helper T cell functions after reward stimulation. This book has relevance to the entire scientific community in Biology, Medicine and Veterinary medicine as it discusses molecular, cellular, organic and systemic aspects as well as the physological, pathophysiological and behavioral mechnisms which are involved in Neuroimmiune Biology.