1. ¹Section on Neuroendocrine Immunology and Behavior, Integrative Neural Immune Program, National Institute of Mental Health, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
2. ²Center of Endocrinology Branch, National Institute of Diabetes, and Digestive Kidney Diseases, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA

Correspondence: EM Sternberg, MD, Section on Neuroendocrine Immunology and Behavior, Integrative Neural Immune Program, Bldg 36 1A23 MSC 4020, National Institute of Mental Health, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA. E-mail: ems@codon.nih.gov

Received 6 October 2004; Revised 3 December 2004; Accepted 9 December 2004; Published online 1 February 2005.

Abstract

Many studies have established the routes by which the immune and central nervous (CNS) systems communicate. This network of connections permits the CNS to regulate the immune system through both neuroendocrine and neuronal pathways. In turn, the immune system signals the CNS through neuronal and humoral routes, via immune mediators and cytokines. This regulatory system between the immune system and CNS plays an important role in susceptibility and resistance to autoimmune, inflammatory, infectious and allergic diseases. This review focuses on the regulation of the immune system via the neuroendocrine system, and underlines the link between neuroendocrine dysregulation and development of major depressive disorders, autoimmune diseases and osteoporosis.