[Neuroimmunomodulation: the cross-talk between nervous and immune systems].

OBJECTIVE Several papers arriving from the neuroimmunomodulation field are showing the relevant relationships between the nervous and the immune systems. A review of studies was carried out to describe the bases of the studies on neuroimmunomodulation. EXPERIMENTAL MODELS It is clear nowadays that emotional states such as anxiety and depression change immune system activity, an affect also observed after both stress and use of nervous system acting drugs. SICK BEHAVIOR The behavior displayed by sick organisms might be thought as being a consequence of homeostatic strategies. POSSIBLE MECHANISM OF THE ACTION BY MEANS OF IMMUNE SYSTEM TO NERVOUS SYSTEM A very big emphasis is being given to Hipothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis, sympathetic nervous system and cytokines participation on nervous system and immune system relationships. CONCLUSION The present revision intend to show some essential studies in the neuroimmunomodulation field; it makes a critical analysis of the mutual relationships between nervous system and immune system.