Neuroimmune Interactions in Health and Disease

Neuroimmunology, though rooted in classical ideas linking mind and body, from Hippocrates’ humoral theory to Hans Selye’s discovery of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis, has undergone a profound transformation. New anatomical structures and signaling pathways have revealed a dynamic communication between the nervous and immune systems. Meanwhile, neurological and neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis are rising in prevalence and remain poorly understood and difficult to treat. In parallel, the spread of brain-impacting infections highlights the need to unravel neuroimmune mechanisms.