The Brain Immune Axis and Substance Abuse

From The Critics

Reviewer: Lori R. Solaro, MD(Rush University Medical Center)
Description: This book compiles 31 lectures presented during the second annual symposium on the Brain Immune Axis and Substance Abuse held in June of 1994.
Purpose: 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.
Audience: 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.
Features: The book includes numerous graphs, tables, and figures to illustrate research results. Chapter references are extensive and current.
Assessment: 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 It presents new and unpublished data from investigations into a recent area of research, the effects of substance abuse (particularly abuse of opiates and cannabanoids) on immunity, and the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.

Lori R. Solaro

This book compiles 31 lectures presented during the second annual symposium on the Brain Immune Axis and Substance Abuse held in 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.

Booknews

Proceedings from the second annual symposium on the above- titled topic held in June 1994 in Palm Beach, Florida Papers address the direct effects of drugs of abuse on various components of the immune system, as well as those mediated indirectly by the central nervous system and the neuroendocrine system. Some topics covered in the volume's 31 papers include the cellular basis for opioid-induced immunosuppression; marijuana, receptors and immunomodulation; and HIV-1 heterogeneity and cytokines. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

4 Stars! from Doody