Neuroimmunoendocrinology

Abstract

The classical description of the nervous, the immune, and the endocrine systems as independent components has been challenged by studies investigating the relationship among them. A growing body of evidence points to the bidirectional communication between neuroendocrine and immune systems through different routes. In this regard, not only central nervous system (CNS) conditions (e.g., stress) can influence the immune system through endocrine communication, but also immune changes (e.g., due to infection) might affect CNS functions, resulting, for instance, in depressive-like behaviors. In this chapter, we present basic and clinical evidence of the crosstalk between immune, endocrine, and nervous systems.