The brain immune axis andsubstance abuse

This book compiles 31 lectures presented during the second annual symposium held on June of 1994. The purpose is to inspire interest in the study of the effect of drugs of abuse on the brain immune axis by presenting new data on molecular and cellular immunomodulation of drugs of abuse (particularly opiates and cannabanoids), by describing consequences of immunomodulation on the pathogenesis of diseases, and by addressing effects of the immune system on the nervous system. This is a relatively recent field of research that deserves further investigation. Targeted especially for neuroscientists, this book will be interesting for immunologists, pharmacologists, microbiologists, and healthcare professionals caring for individuals with addictive and infectious disorders. The authors of the articles are credible researchers. The book includes numerous graphs, tables, and figures to illustrate research results. Chapter references are extensive and current. This is a very interesting book for researchers and practitioners in the fields of neuroscience, immunology, and substance abuse. It presents new and unpublished data from investigations into a recent area of research, the effects of substance abuse (particularly abuse of opiates and cannabanoids) on immunity, and the effects of immunomodulation by drugs of abuse of the nervous system. Also addressed using animal models are the interactions between drug exposure, immune dysfunction and infectious disease. This book reflects the need for further study into the brain immune axis.