Jornal de Neurologia Clínica e Neurocirurgia

Neuroimmunology

Abstract

Susan Jones

Neuroimmunology is a branch of biology that includes basic and applied biology, immunology, chemistry, neurology, pathology, psychiatry, and virology of the Central Nervous System (CNS). Scientists in the discipline investigate the interconnections of the immune and neurological systems throughout development, homeostasis, and injury response, with the ultimate goal of finding methods to cure or prevent neuroimmunological disorders. Neuroimmunologists study the interplay of these two complex systems throughout development, homeostasis, and injury response. One long-term objective of this fast growing research area is to improve our understanding of the pathophysiology of some neurological disorders, some of which have no known cause. Neuroimmunology helps to discover novel pharmacological therapies for a variety of neurological disorders. Many interactions include both the neurological and immunological systems, including physiological functioning of the two systems in health and sickness, malfunction of one or both systems that leads to diseases, and physical, chemical, and environmental stresses that affect both systems on a regular basis.