Researchers have also found out that the mechanisms of immune cell production, blood vessel constriction, heart rate, platelet activation, and immune cells production of cytokine are regulated by the neuroendocrine molecules and autonomous nervous system. These results …show more content…
There are many similarities in the way the immune system and the central nervous system receive, recognize, and integrate different signals and thus accomplish their functions. The communication is made possible by the sensory elements, which are responsible for receiving information from other body parts as well as the environment, and the motor elements that carry the appropriate responses.
The cross communication between the body and mind relies on the chemical mediators, which involve electrical signals along the nerve pathways. These electrical signals are converted into chemical signals at the synapses between neurons. Therefore, the chemical messengers communicate with the nerves, brain, and other parts of the immune system. As a result, the chemicals released by the nerve cells act as the immune cell signals and allow hormones to travel from the body to the brain through the bloodstream.
One of the major hormones that are shared by the immune system and central nervous is the corticotropin-releasing hormone, CRH. The CRH is produced in the hypothalamus and other brain regions, and is essential in uniting the immune and stress responses of the body. Once the CRH is released into the pituitary gland, it causes the pituitary to release adrenocorticotropin hormone, ACTH into the bloodstream thereby stimulating the adrenal glands to produce cortisol, which is a stress