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The Immune System

Mental Health and Neurological Conditions

  • 2nd Edition - October 22, 2024
  • Latest edition
  • Authors: Hymie Anisman, Shawn Hayley, Alexander W. Kusnecov
  • Language: English

The Immune System: Mental Health and Neurological Conditions fully investigates how immune-related cellular, molecular and anatomical changes impact mental functioning. This book… Read more

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Description

The Immune System: Mental Health and Neurological Conditions fully investigates how immune-related cellular, molecular and anatomical changes impact mental functioning. This book combines human and animal studies to reveal immunological changes related to mental-health problems. In addition, users will find comprehensive information on new research related to the microbial composition of the gut, aka, the microbiome, and how it influences brain function and mental health. Common comorbidities with mental illness and their inherent immunological or inflammatory components are also covered. New chapters and sections on peripheral and central mechanisms in relation to viral pathogens, RNA editing to treat diseases, and COVID-19 will be included. Written by leaders in the field, the book synthesizes basic and clinical research to provide a thorough understanding on the role of immunity in neuropsychiatry. This book covers both mental-health conditions and degenerative disorders of the brain, including depression, schizophrenia, autism-like spectrum disorders, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s-like dementia.

Key features

  • Considers both basic human and animal studies that address immunological changes relating to mental health problems across the lifespan
  • Incorporates techniques, concepts, and ideas from a variety of social, behavioral, and life sciences
  • Includes new chapter on viral factors (COVID-19) relating to mental and neurological disorders
  • Reviews how to utilize psychedelics in the treatment of depressive illness

Readership

Advanced students and researchers in neuroscience, neuroimmunology, neuropsychiatry, neuropsychology, the behavioral and social sciences, and immunology

Table of contents

1. Multiple Pathways Linked to Mental Health and Illness

2. The Immune System: An Overview

3. Bacteria, Viruses, and the Microbiome

4. Pathogenic Factors Related to Mental and Neurological Disorders

5. Lifestyle Factors Affecting Biological Processes and Health

6. Stressor Processes and Effects on Neurobiological Functioning

7. Stress and Immunity

8. Prenatal and Early Postnatal Influences on Health

9. Depressive Disorders

10. Anxiety Disorders

11. Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

12. Pain Processes

13. Autism

14. Schizophrenia

15. Inflammatory Roads to Parkinson’s Disease

16. A Neuroinflammatory View of Alzheimer’s Disease

17. Illness Comorbidities in Relation to Inflammatory Processes

Review quotes

"...[It] guides individuals through the immune system, its interactions with multiple factors including hormones and neurotransmitters, and how these could be implicated or indicators for neurological or psychiatric disorders,... [and] discusses potential future biomarkers for evaluations of efficacy of treatments, potential biomarkers for disease, or consideration of potential areas that are likely not beneficial for further investigation.... The book does well by providing relevant material for a refresher or reference when delving into topics, providing appropriate graphics when necessary, and efficiently concluding topics.... The graphics in the book are well-thought out and provide an appreciable understanding or alternative view of the information it is attempting to represent. The best feature of this book is that it takes complex multidisciplinary information and synthesizes it to provide understanding including potential neurobiological treatment for mental diagnoses.... [It] is well organized, informative, and has little redundancy in the information provided." Review by Andre Lorenz, DO (St. Mary Mercy Hospital), ©Doody's Review Service 2025. Doody's Score: 97, 5 Stars!

Product details

  • Edition: 2
  • Latest edition
  • Published: October 24, 2024
  • Language: English

About the authors

HA

Hymie Anisman

Hymie Anisman received his PhD from the University of Waterloo, where he was also on faculty for two years, and has been a Professor at Carleton University, since 1994. He has also held an adjunct appointment with the Institute of Mental Health Research (Royal Ottawa Hospital) since 1993. Professor Anisman was a Senior Ontario Mental Health Research Fellow, is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, and held a Canada Research Chair in Neuroscience from 2001-2015, and has since held the position of Canada Research Professor. The principle theme of his research has concerned the influence of stressors on neurochemical, neuroendocrine and immune systems, and how these influence psychological (anxiety, depression) and physical illnesses including neurodegenerative, heart disease, and cancer progression.
Affiliations and expertise
Canada Research Chair in Behavioral Neuroscience, Department of Neuroscience, Carleton University, Ottawa, ONT, Canada

SH

Shawn Hayley

Shawn Hayley is a Full Professor and previous Canada Research Chair in the Department of Neuroscience at Carleton University. Some of his research examines how the immune system influences neuroplasticity of the brain and consequently, how could be important for the development of new antidepressant drugs. As well, Dr. Hayley has been focused on how inflammation within the brain can cause neuronal degeneration and contribute to the onset and progression of Parkinson’s disease. The Hayley lab is involved in studies in assessing how chemical (e.g. pesticides) immunologic (e.g. viral, bacterial agents) and even psychological environmental stressors can contribute to the development of Parkinson's disease, as well as it comorbid states (e.g. depression, anxiety). Much of this research is focused on how the brain's specialized immune cells, the microglia, are involved in the generation of neuronal pathology, as well as possibly recovery from pathology.
Affiliations and expertise
Health Sciences Building,Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

AK

Alexander W. Kusnecov

Alex Kusnecov received his doctorate from the University of Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia, after which he conducted postdoctoral research in psychoneuroimmunology at the University of Rochester. Subsequently, he held a faculty appointment in the Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, USA. He is currently a Professor within the Department of Psychology at Rutgers University, where his research involves the analyses of functional relationships between the brain and behavior, endocrine systems, and immune processes. His research on psychoneuroimmunology has appeared in prestigious journals, and together with Dr. Anisman, he has published two books (one an edited volume, and the other a text dealing with the involvement of the immune system in mental illnesses and neurodegenerative disorders). His research is funded by the National Institutes of Mental Health (NIMH). He serves on the editorial board of Brain, Behavior and Immunity, and has served on several National Institute for Health research grant panels, and has reviewed grants for Canadian and European grant agencies. He has acted as undergraduate director of the Department of Psychology, and currently co-chairs the Department of Psychology Diversity and Climate Committee.
Affiliations and expertise
Professor, Behavioral and Systems Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychology, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA

View book on ScienceDirect

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