Immunology of the Nervous System

Neuroimmunology has come of age since 1980, shaped by advances in its parent disciplines of neuroscience and immunology. As the field has evolved, it has become clear that the general principles of immunology must be applied in a highly specialized fashion when dealing with immunological reactions in the nervous system. This book provides a comprehensive review of the field. It begins with a unique historical survey including disease-related observations, followed by an overview of immunological principles and functions. Cellular responses that occur during neuroimmunological events, with emphasis on microglia, macrophages, astrocytes, and lymphocytes, are then presented. The next and largest section of the book deals with the cellular and humoral roles of the nervous and immune systems in basicphysiological and disease processes such as antigen presentation, cytokines expression, viral infection and immunosuppression. The final section on neuroimmunology of disease covers autoimmune disorders, AIDS, cancer, and the immunological diseases of the peripheral nervous system. For neuroscientists, immunologists, and neurologists, this will be a valuable resource.;It can be used as a text in neuroimmunology courses or as a reference by basic scientists and clinicians.