Neuroimmunology is a rapidly-growing branch of biomedical science that studies of all aspects of the interactions between the immune system and nervous system. It deals with, among other things, the physiological functioning of the neuroimmune system in states of both health and disease; malfunctions of the neuroimmune system in disorders (autoimmune diseases, hypersensitivities, immune deficiency), the physical, chemical and physiological characteristics of the components of the neuroimmune system in vitro, in situ, and in vivo. Despite the brain's status as an immune privileged site, an extensive bi-directional communication takes place between the nervous and the immune system in both health and disease. Immune cells and neuroimmune molecules such as cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors modulate brain function through multiple signalling pathways throughout the lifespan. Immunological, physiological and psychological stressors engage cytokines and other immune molecules as mediators of interactions with neuroendocrine, neuropeptide, and neurotransmitter systems. For example, brain cytokine levels increase following stress exposure, while treatments designed to alleviate stress reverse this effect. This book presents leading research in the field.

Neuroimmunology, the latest volume in the Contemporary Neurology Series, provides a practical, clinical, and scientific background on a diverse group of neurological disorders in this rapidly expanding field. The book includes chapters on multiple sclerosis and related disorders in adults and children, neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder, Guillain-Barre Syndrome, chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy and variants, immune-mediated disorders of the neuromuscular junction, inflammatory myopathies, paraneoplastic disorders and autoimmune encephalitities, and neurologic manifestations of systemic immune-mediated diseases. Unique to the work, the authors have included an introductory chapter on the basics of immunology and another on mechanisms of action of therapies used in neuroimmunologic disorders. The clinical chapters cover epidemiology, pathology, pathogenesis, and pathophysiology of the different diseases along with clinical presentation, diagnostic testing, differential diagnosis, and treatment. All are presented in an accessible, practical format, making this volume a valuable resource for physicians and other healthcare providers that will care for persons with neuroimmunologic diseases.

This timely work reflects the growing importance of research into the nature of sleep and its medical aspects. One of the first of its kind, this work on the neuroimmunology of sleep provides an introduction to the interplay between these two key and interlinked areas. Written both from a basic and a clinical perspective, the volume is an invaluable information resource for biomedical professionals and students of the human biology. Highly practical guide written from both a basic and clinical perspective.

Neuroimmunology is a rapidly-growing branch of biomedical science that studies of all aspects of the interactions between the immune system and nervous system. It deals with, among other things, the physiological functioning of the neuroimmune system in states of both health and disease; malfunctions of the neuroimmune system in disorders (autoimmune diseases, hypersensitivities, immune deficiency), the physical, chemical and physiological characteristics of the components of the neuroimmune system in vitro, in situ, and in vivo. Despite the brain's status as an immune privileged site, an extensive bi-directional communication takes place between the nervous and the immune system in both health and disease. Immune cells and neuroimmune molecules such as cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors modulate brain function through multiple signalling pathways throughout the lifespan. Immunological, physiological and psychological stressors engage cytokines and other immune molecules as mediators of interactions with neuroendocrine, neuropeptide, and neurotransmitter systems. For example, brain cytokine levels increase following stress exposure, while treatments designed to alleviate stress reverse this effect. This book presents leading research from around the globe.

Growing evidence derived from cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), neuropathological, imaging, genetic, and epidemiological studies link neuroinflammation and immune dysregulation to a subset of individuals with a variety of severe mental disorders (SMDs), including affective and non-affective psychotic disorders. Further, the recent discoveries of neuronal surface antibodies (NSAs) in autoimmune encephalitis (AE) presenting with diverse neuropsychiatric disorders such as psychosis and cognitive decline, among many others, provides further support to the notion that CNS autoimmunity and neuroinflammation can contribute to the neurobiology of psychiatric disturbances. Further, these immune mechanisms may contribute to a subset of patients currently diagnosed as having treatment-resistant SMDs such as schizophrenia and major depressive disorder. Additionally, mounting data indicate that various infections can serve as an immunological trigger of aberrant immune responses, presumably by causing release of excess neural antigen, thereby giving rise to NSAs or aberrant immune cellular responses to give rise to primary or secondary psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia and those associated with AE, respectively. Collectively, these findings support the “mild encephalitis” hypothesis of SMD. The significant overlap among AE-associated psychosis, systemic autoimmune disorder-associated psychosis, and psychotic disorders associated with pathological processes involving inflammation and immune dysregulation has also prompted some authors to adopt the term “autoimmune psychosis” (AP). This term reflects that this psychosis subtype is mechanistically linked to complex neuroimmune and inflammatory signalling abnormalities that can be responsive to early immunomodulatory treatment. It also suggests that a subset of AP might represent an incomplete or “forme fruste” subtype of AE presenting with dominant or pure psychiatric symptoms mimicking primary psychiatric illnesses. Because data indicate that delayed diagnosis and treatment may lead to permanent sequelae, early recognition of AP utilizing neurodiagnostic workup (e.g., CSF analysis, neuroimaging, and EEG) and its early treatment with appropriate immunotherapy are paramount to a meaningful recovery. This eBook will provide an overview of the current knowledge and research areas from epidemiology, risk factors and diagnosis to the management of these conditions, in this rapidly emerging field, helping to bridge the gaps in knowledge that currently exist in the disciplines of Psychiatry, Neurology, and Neuroimmunology.

Given that the extremely elaborated and dynamic functions performed by the nervous system require the close synchronization of brain cells, complex organisms have developed different mechanisms of intercellular communication. At this regard, paracrine signaling between neighboring cells is currently recognized as one of the most widely distributed mechanisms of synchronization in the brain parenchyma. In mammals, paracrine signaling is in part mediated by single membrane channels formed by connexins (connexons/hemichannels) or pannexins (pannexons), which are two different membrane protein families composed of about 20 and 3 members, respectively. Single membrane channels formed by these proteins serve as aqueous pores permeable to ions and small molecules, allowing the diffusional exchange between the intra- and extracellular milieu. Thus, connexin hemichannels and pannexons permit the release of significant quantities of autocrine/paracrine signaling molecules (e.g., ATP, glutamate, NAD+, adenosine and PGE2) into the extracellular milieu, as well as the uptake of small molecules. An increasing body of evidence has revealed that connexin hemichannels and pannexons play a crucial role in a plethora of brain processes including blood flow regulation, Ca2+ wave propagation, memory consolidation, glucose sensing and cell migration and adhesion. Considering the multiple cell signaling functions of these channels, their dysregulation is proposed not only as potential pathological biomarker, but it has been implicated in the pathogenesis and progression of diverse brain diseases (e.g., meningitis, Alzheimer’s disease and stroke). The aim of this Research Topic is to gather a collection of original research articles, method, protocols, short communications, opinions, perspectives, as well as review articles, providing the latest progress and insights in the field of connexin hemichannels and pannexons in the nervous system. Within this volume we plan to cover from basic research including channel structure, regulation, pharmacology and trafficking; to different biological functions in the physiology (behavior, plasticity, neurogenesis, blood flow control, neuron-glia crosstalk, cell migration and differentiation) as well as in the pathophysiology (neuroinflammation, mutation-related diseases, glial dysfunction and neurodegeneration) of the nervous system. We hope that this collection of articles will serve to understand how the signaling of connexin hemichannels and pannexons influences both normal and pathological brain function.

Looking at the lastest advances in research into multiple sclerosis, from genetics to the use of magnetic resonance imaging and the organization of MS care.

In 2015, the Institute of Medicine (USA) issued a report critical of the research effort and clinical care for ME/CFS (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) formerly known as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) and Chronic Fatigue Immune Deficiency Syndrome (CFIDS). While worldwide investigation into the cause and nature of ME/CFS remains disproportionately small, and treatment remains symptomatic and controversial, modest research continues in all aspects of this disease: epidemiology, possible infectious origins and other triggers, possible involvement of genetics, metabolism, and microbiome, influence of co-morbid conditions, and more. Treatment of patients consists of providing symptomatic relief. Guidance in doing so is provided for the clinician. School-age children require not only treatment but, as revealed in a 25-year retrospective study, continued engagement with peers and social activity. This e-book explores the breadth and depth of current ME/CFS research and clinical care. Its impact for other chronic, complex illnesses should not be overlooked.