Understanding how the brain controls the body's immune system
Molecular basis of bioelectronic medicine
This research explores how the brain and nervous system communicate with the immune system to manage inflammation, building on past successes in conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn's disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Feinstein Institute for Medical Research NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Manhasset, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11076675 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Our bodies have a natural way of controlling inflammation, called the 'inflammatory reflex,' which involves the vagus nerve. This project aims to uncover the precise brain signals and nerve pathways that tell the immune system when to start or stop inflammation. We want to understand how the brain senses inflammation in the body and what mechanisms trigger it. By mapping these connections, we hope to find new ways to use the body's own systems to treat diseases.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Patients with inflammatory conditions or neurological disorders linked to inflammation, such as rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease, or Alzheimer's disease, could potentially benefit from future treatments developed from this research.
Not a fit: Patients whose conditions are not related to inflammation or the nervous system's control over immunity may not directly benefit from this specific line of research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new bioelectronic treatments that use nerve stimulation to control inflammation for a variety of conditions, potentially including Alzheimer's disease.
How similar studies have performed: Previous work by this research team has already led to successful clinical trials in rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn's disease using similar approaches to control inflammation.
Where this research is happening
Manhasset, United States
- Feinstein Institute for Medical Research — Manhasset, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Tracey, Kevin J — Feinstein Institute for Medical Research
- Study coordinator: Tracey, Kevin J
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.