Scientists discover ‘master’ brain circuit that regulates inflammation.
Researchers have found that neurons in the brain stem act like a regulator of inflammation. These can ramp up or down inflammation in response to signals sent by the vagus nerve, a bundle of thousands of nerve fibers linking the brain and the body’s internal organs.
A new study in mice found that a peripheral immune insult powerfully activates the body-brain axis to regulate immune responses. Pro-and anti-inflammatory cytokines communicate with distinct populations of vagal neurons to inform the brain of an emerging inflammatory response. In turn, the brain tightly modulates the course of the peripheral immune response.
Researchers believe that making use of this new brain circuit could lead to new therapies for many immune disorders.