HIERARCHICAL CORTICAL CONTROL OF NEUROIMMUNOMODULATORY PATHWAYS

The central nervous system and the immune system are both stimulus res ponse systems with sophisticated memories mediating defence and adapta tion to external and internal threats. There is mounting evidence that these two systems share their information in a bidirectional now of c ytokines, steroids, and neuropeptides. This review examines the influe nce of higher cognitive centres on immunity and highlights the central role played by the hypothalamus in enabling these two systems to func tion as an integrated unit to maintain homeostasis. The search for nov el compounds that are capable of enhancing immunity by regulating thes e brain-immune feedback loops offers one of the most exciting areas fo r future neurobiological research.