The belief that the brain was shut from the actions of the immune system and shielded from the external natural forces has been proved a myth. Thanks to the groundbreaking work of Dr. Kevin Tracey, MD, it has been found that the brain communicates directly with the immune system and sends command to control the body’s inflammatory response to infection and autoimmune diseases.
Dr. Tracey, director and chief executive of the Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, found through clinical trials that the vagus nerve could block a rogue inflammatory response and cure a number of diseases including sepsis.
Sepsis is caused by the body’s overpowered immune system’s response to an infection where the body produces cells, which act against the body itself. Dr. Tracey and others are studying ways of stimulating the vagus nerve to shut off abnormal immune system responses. The vagus nerve speaks directly to the immune system through a neurochemical called acetylcholine.
Besides, sepsis, inflammation is key to many diseases, from autoimmune conditions like Crohn’s disease and rheumatoid arthritis to Alzheimer’s.
Source:eurekalert.org
Picture: nlm.nih.gov