Neuro-Immuno-Gastroenterology

This book addresses important issues regarding the interaction between the nervous system, the immune system, and the digestive system. Gut flora has a profound influence on the shaping of the immune response, not only in the gastrointestinal system but also in the nervous system. Fascinatingly, manipulation of intestinal immune responses can be used to modulate neurological disease. Conversely, the nervous system and the psyche have significant effects on the functioning of the gut and liver.

After introductory chapters on the neurology, the immunology and microbiology of the gut, the effects of the gut immune system and gut flora and its manipulation on neurological disease are discussed, followed by molecular mimicry and immune tolerance in neuroimmune diseases. Additionally, several chapters deal with gastrointestinal manifestations of neurological diseases. Neuro-Immuno-Gastroenterology is aimed at neurologists, gastroenterologists, and immunologists.

Brings together gastroenterologists and neurologists with immunological interest Combines basic immunology with clinical information Addresses microbiological issues, providing expert information not frequently available in routine immunological literature

Autorentext

Cris S Constantinescu graduated from Boston University School of Medicine and completed a PhD in Immunology at the University of Pennsylvania. He completed training in Neurology and Fellowship in Neuroimmunology at the University of Pennsylvania. His main research interest is in the immunopathogenesis and the immunotherapeutics of multiple sclerosis, and in neuroimmune interactions. He is currently Professor and Chair of Clinical Neurology in the Division of Clinical Neuroscience at the University of Nottingham in the United Kingdom.

Razvan Arsenescu received his Ph.D. degree from The University of Kentucky College of Medicine Microbiology, Immunology & Molecular Genetics and his medical degree from The University of Medicine and Pharmacy Tg. Mures, Romania. Currently, he is the Chief of Atlantic Digestive Health Institute and Director of Atlantic Inflammatory Bowel Diseases Center in Morristown, NJ, USA.

Violeta Arsenescu received her Ph.D. degree from The University of Kentucky College of Medicine Graduate Center for Nutritional Sciences, and her medical degree from The University of Medicine and Pharmacy Tg. Mures, Romania. Currently, she is the Director of Medical Nutrition Consulting at Armedica LLC.

Inhalt

The immunology of the gastrointestinal system.- The enteric nervous system.- Microbial regulation of gastrointestinal immunity in health and disease.- Roles of substance P in gastrointestinal functions and neuroimmune interactions.- Immunomodulation by vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP).- Helicobacter pylori, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, and multiple sclerosis.- Stress and the gastrointestinal system.- Nutrition, macrobiotics and the brain neuroinflammatory response.- Guillain-Barré syndrome and Campylobacter jejuni enteritis.- Gut microbiota: a possible role in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis.- Intestinal parasites and immunomodulation in neuroinflammatory disease.- Neurological complications of anti-TNF treatments and other neurological aspects of inflammatory bowel disease.- Intestinal bacterial antigens, toxin-induced pathogenesis and immune cross-reactivity in neuromyelitis optica and multiple sclerosis.- Targeting immunomodulatory agentsto the gut-associated lymphoid tissue.- The neuroimmunology of gluten intolerance.- The neurology of autoimmune pernicious anaemia (subacute combined degeneration).- The impact of multiple sclerosis on gastrointestinal system function.- The neurology of Whipple's disease.