Recovery from multiple sclerosis-like symptoms in mice depends upon the ability for microglia to break down the remains of damaged cells. Read More
Jet lag alters the microenvironment around cancerous tumor cells, making it more favorable for tumors to grow, and hinders the body's natural immune response. Read More
Gamma interferons, a type of immune cell that induces and modulates several immune system responses, may also play a role in preventing depression. Read More
Study identifies a specific type of immune cell that induces inflammation in herpes simplex virus (HSV) encephalitis. Read More
The immune molecule interleukin-17 (Il-17a) appears to influence vigilance and alertness in mouse models. Findings suggest the immune cell affects both brain function and behavior. Read More
Researchers have identified a neural circuit responsible for inducing insomnia associated with stress. The same neural circuit also induces changes in the immune system. Read More
Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children, a Kawasaki-like disease that appears to result from COVID-19 infections, damages the heart to such an extent that children will need lifelong monitoring and interventions. Read More
A new blood test could help doctors monitor those who are at risk of developing psychiatric disorders. The test looks for specific protein biomarkers in blood samples of those with risk factors for psychiatric illnesses and can help to predict who is most likely to develop psychosis in the future. Read More
Children born to mothers who experienced immune disorders during pregnancy, including allergies, asthma, autoimmune diseases, and autoinflammatory syndromes, are more likely to exhibit behavioral and emotional problems. The child's sex may interact with maternal immune conditions to influence the outcome of ASD symptoms. While maternal immune disorders were associated with emotional and behavioral problems in children on the autism spectrum, there was no association with reduced cognitive function. Read More
Decreasing the amount of Reelin significantly protected against disease symptoms and promoted recovery in symptomatic animal models of multiple sclerosis. Reelin levels appear to correlate with MS severity and stages. Researchers report lowering levels of the protein could be a potential avenue of treatment for the autoimmune disorder. Read More
Using electroacupuncture, researchers stimulated the vagus-adrenal axis to induce secretion of dopamine from chromaffin cells in the adrenal glands. Mice exposed to this treatment had lower levels of three types of inflammation-inducing cytokines and improved survival chances over those who did not receive electroacupuncture. Animals treated with the method immediately before they developed cytokine storms experienced lower levels of inflammation during their disease and an increase in survival odds from 20% to 80%. Read More
DHA treatment reduced the size of the damaged brain area and initiated a repair mechanism in animal models of stroke. DHA affected the levels of MANF and TREM2, two proteins critical for communication between brain cells. Read More
