NINDS Neuroscience Funding Announcements

Functional Links between the Immune System, Brain Function and Behavior (R21)

Funding Contact(s): Ursula Utz, Ph.D.
Funding Categories: Neural Environment

Brief Description:
Despite the brain's status as an immune privileged site, an extensive bi-directional communication takes place between the nervous and the immune system in both health and disease. Immune cells and neuroimmune molecules such as cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors modulate brain function through multiple signaling pathways throughout the lifespan. Immunological, physiological and psychological stressors engage cytokines and other immune molecules as mediators of interactions with neuroendocrine, neuropeptide, and neurotransmitter systems. For example, brain cytokine levels increase following stress exposure, while treatments designed to alleviate stress reverse this effect.

Grant Mechanism: R21
NIH Guide: PA-06-533
Release Date: 2006-08-22
Expiration Date: 2008-03-25