The neuroimmunological basis of behavior and mental disorders

The fields of neuroscience, neuroimmunology, and psychiatry have seen remarkable growth over the past decade. For many years, it was believed that viruses,bacteria and other pathogens could precipitate psychiatric and neurological abnormalities. Recent developments in the field of neuroimmunology have provided insights into the possible relationships between immune function and behavioral disorders. Specifically, a physiological feedback loop between the brain and immune systems, notably involving cytokines, have been identified, thus permitting an analysis of how pathogens may come to potently alter brain function. Such changes may affect adaptive and abnormal behaviors. This book examines the nature of these relationships. Key topics include: basic mechanisms of neural-immune interactions; the effects of immunity on normal brain neurochemistry and behavioral processes; and how immune activity may contribute to clinicaldisorders such as schizophrenia, depression, aggression, pain and stress. Focuses on immune effects upon adaptive behavior Provides analysis of immune relationships to abnormal behavior Presents the integration of clinical and experimental neuroimmune studies INDICE: Section I Introduction: Overview.- Immunity and Behavior: SicknessBehavior.- Psychiatric Disorders and Immunity.- Immunological Challenge and Behavior.- Immune to Brain Signaling.- Section II Basic Experiments: Immunity and Behavior.- Immunity and Neurochemistry.- Behavioral Changes: Effects of Inflammation on Behavior: Depression.- Feeding.- Social Behavior.- Exploratory Behavior.- Cognition.- Autoimmunity and Behavior.- Inflammatory Cytokines and Behavior.- Cytokines, Genetics, Immunity and Behavior.- Prenatal Effects.- Relationship to Aggression.- Behavior Activating Effects of Cytokines.- Molecular Signaling Pathway and Behavior.- Section III Clinical Correlations: Depression.- Schizophrenia.- Cytokine Therapy.- Stress and Immunity.- Viruses and Immunity.- Pain.- Section IV Summary and Future Directions.

• ISBN: 978-0-387-84850-1
• Editorial: Springer
• Encuadernacion: Cartoné
• Páginas: 435
• Fecha Publicación: 01/11/2008
• Nº Volúmenes: 1
• Idioma: Inglés