Brain, Immune System Linked

Scientists used to believe that the brain doesn't have anything to do with the immune system and that the immune system responds without any help from the brain, but a research conducted by Kevin Tracey, MD shows that there is a direct connection from the brain to the immune system and that the brain actually controls the body's inflammatory response to infection. Dr. Tracey's research could provide ways of treating diseases triggered by dangerous inflammatory response such as the sepsis condition.

Dr. Tracey went about his research almost a decade ago when a little girl died in his operating room, trying to overcome sepsis. The little girl was accidentally burned by boiling water and suffered septic shock. Dr. Tracey then tried to figure out why the body makes cells that can very well lead to its own damage. It was then that Dr. Tracey discovered that the vagus nerve can directly communicate with the immune system through a neurochemical called acetylcholine. When the vagus nerve is stimulated, it can send a command to the immune system to stop pumping harmful inflammatory markers. Dr. Tracey said he immediately saw the vagus nerve's potential to shut off abnormal immune system response.