Abstract
The immune and nervous systems are two body structures that have different functions. Moreover, most people may not be able to readily identify the and the relationship between these two. While the immune system is responsible in protecting the body from destructive and invading pathogens, the nervous system is tasked to relay information to the brain. This process allows for the proper coordination of the different functions of the body. In general, the concept of the connection between the nervous and the immune systems stems from the theoretical idea of stress. Stress is denoted both as a physiological and psychological response to the existence of a triggering elements that include external and internal stressors. This paper demonstrates the use of cocaine, and its possible impact on the immune and nervous system. There was also the study that validated the possible link between sleep, and the appropriate functioning of the human body, specifically the immune and nervous system. It is a reasonable to assert that adequate sleep aids in promoting the proper cognitive functioning, while strengthening the immune system.
Keywords: immune and nervous system, functions, pathogens, cognitive
Introduction
The immune and nervous systems have dissimilar functions and the connection between these two are likely to be unnoticeable. The immune system is tasked to protect the body from harmful bacteria and other invasive pathogens. On the other hand, the nervous system is responsible for relaying information to the brain, thus allowing for the proper coordination of the different body functions. While the immune and nervous system seemed to be remotely connected, a closer examination reveals that the two compensate each other in their purposes. Most people are not aware that these systems interact and work with each other in a subtle yet dynamic ways.
A common link between the immune and nervous system is the adrenaline glands, which are known for the hormones they secrete as a response to stress. The immune system works to alleviate anxiety reactions, and the adrenal glands are tasked to release cortisol, a hormone that can reduce tension. It is to be noted that stress can have a detrimental impact on physical health as it causes the weakening of the immune system. While the adrenal glands does not form part of the immune system, it serves as a link between them as the hormone that these glands secrete has a considerable impact to both the immune and nervous system. Further, several studies also reveal that the brain’s nerve cells have the ability to directly interact with the immune system as a means to trigger responses. Likewise, the cells within the immune system were also found to have the capacity to communicate with the brain, specifically by sending messages about the existence of foreign antigens. These are just some of the few links between the nervous and immune system, and further studies are being conducted to establish a closer relationship between these two. The subsequent literature reviews aim to discuss the different researches conducted to strengthen the concept about the direct relationship between these two systems.
Literature Review
Stress, the immune and nervous system
Generally, the idea of the relationship between the nervous and the immune systems comes from the theoretical concept of stress. Stress is referred to as “an organism’s physiological and psychological reaction triggered by an external or internal stressor, such as an environmental condition or a psychological stimulus” (Ness and Calabrese, 2016). Several research demonstrates the interrelationship between the nervous and the immune system, specifically on the wide range of ways by which these systems can be linked. In an article by Wang et al (2016), the authors discussed the findings from their research showing the intricate connection and the relationship of the nervous and immune system. The study was conducted to examine the “sensitivity of the PLR as a method to evaluate PNS dysfunction” (Wang, 2016). In this study, it was pointed out that the pupil light reflect is a valuable tool that can be used to assess the existence of parasympathetic nervous system dysfunction. The pupil light reflect (PLR) has been used to examine the parasympathetic system dysfunction (PNS). For instance, patients who demonstrate symptoms of PNS dysfunction such as Diabetes Mellitus, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Diseases are tested with the use of PLR because this reflex is found to be sensitive to these disorders (Wang et al, 2016). This validates the interconnectivity of the nervous and immune system as the PLR is indicative of the ability of the “nervous organ muscles controlling the pupil area” (Tschacher et al, 2012).
The interconnection of the immune and nervous system in terms of stress is further proven in an article entitled Influence of External Sources of Stress on the Regulation or Dysregulation of Bodily Systems. A large number of research validated the effect of stress on memory, and this phenomena is explained by the overlapping of physiological stress response with the elements that are relative to memory processes (Ness and Calabrese, 2016). The interaction of the stress hormones within the basolateral amygdala (BLA), leads to distinct impacts on cognitive processes such as the impairment of retrieval memory. Further, study of stress responses in a controlled setting indicated that “stress may affect sport performance and have a direct or indirect influence on the outcome” (Mascret et al, 2016).
External Factors that Affect the Immune and Nervous Systems
Another study that demonstrates the interrelationship of the immune and nervous system was discussed in an article entitled Systems-Level View of Cocaine Addiction. The authors describe the body as a complex assembly of physiological systems that are intended for the management of “multidirectional transport of both information and nutrients” (Marasco e al, 2014). In their study, Marasco et al (2016), probe on the impact of the cocaine intake to the immune system as well as other biological responses. Cocaine is a substance that stimulates the central nervous system, thus, the general unanimity in focusing research on the neurological impact of this substance. Some of the neurological impacts include acting as a neural substrates and as an inhibitor of the reuptake of monoamine neurotransmitters (Marasco et al, 2014). Recent studies, however, reveal that cocaine affects both the nervous and immune system and this was proven by the number of physiological responses from its continued use. Accordingly, the weakening of the immune system with cocaine use is largely dependent on the dosage and manner of administration. While it was claimed that the use of cocaine does not trigger a response from the immune system, its effect is attributed to the system’s activation and the eventual release of cytokines (Marasco et al, 2014). Cytokines are referred to as signaling cells that helps in cell interaction, specifically in sending immune responses and stimulating cell movements. The immune adaptations can have a considerable impact both on the physical and cognitive aspects.
Cognitive Functioning and Biological Rhythms
One way of diagnosing immune system diseases is through the evaluation of allergic conditions. It is common for medical practitioners to test the skin for allergies as a means to identify the allergens that elicit symptoms. In a study by Matsui et al (2016), the authors pointed out the relationship between chronic short sleep and its interference to the circadian rhythm. It was established that the disruption of the circadian rhythm is responsible for the acceleration of skin ageing as well as the weakened functioning of the skin barrier. Further, the authors discussed about the result of current researches that relate to biological rhythms as manifested through the skin. This includes the clock mechanisms, as well as the elements that disrupt the body’s normal cycle, and functioning. The authors’ findings indicate that the body cells can reflect the different biological occurrences in the body, and this includes the changes that are taking place both in the immune and nervous system.
The relationship between the immune and nervous system can also be demonstrated through the study of the relationship between cognition and the sleep-wake disturbances. There are those that argued against the notion that the sleep and circadian disturbances “may not relate to cognitive dysfunction in a simple linear fashion” (Carpenter, 2015). However, an actigraphy monitoring on 152 participants showed that sleep disruption can have an impact on the neuropsychological performance, such that tasks that relate both to mental and visual memory are considerably reduced (Carpenter, 2015). While sleep helps an individual in remembering facts, it is also vital in sustaining the immune system. This finding validates the interconnection of sleep, and the proper functioning of the immune and nervous system. It is logical to claim that while sufficient sleep helps in the proper cognitive functioning, it can also have a positive impact on the ability of the body to ward off diseases.
Discussion/Conclusion
There is a common notion about the stark difference between the function of the immune and nervous system. However, a closer examination reveals that there are factors that link these two systems, thus, they are connected in several ways. This paper looked at the relationship of these two systems which was once considered as unrelated. In the literature review, stress is identified as one element that links the immune and nervous system. There are several hormones that are released through stress, such as the cortisol which is a hormone that is triggered as a response to stress. This leads to the stimulation of the nervous system as the cortisol is responsible for the activation of the flight or fight response. In the same way, it also affects the immune system as it can affect the production of antibodies. In establishing the relationship of these two systems, this study discussed about the interaction of the stress hormones and their possible impact on the different body processes.
In this paper, the outside factors that affect the nervous and immune systems are also discussed. For example, the relationship of the systems was validated by pointing out about a study on the impact of cocain use to both systems. Cocaine use is generally construed to affect only the nervous system, but recent research revealed that the substance can also have a detrimental impact on the immune system. Further, there is the study of allergic conditions which demonstrates that the study of the body cells can reveal facts about the different mental and physical conditions. Another factor that affects both the immune and nervous system is the amount of sleep. The normal functioning of these systems is largely affected by the amount of sleep, such that a considerable number of sleep-wake disturbances may lead to reduced immunity and cognitive ability.
References
Carpenter, J., Robillard, R., Lee, R., Hermens, D., Naismith, S., White, D., Whitwell, B., Scott, E., & Hickie, I. (2015). The Relationship between Sleep-Wake Cycle and Cognitive Functioning in Young People with Affective Disorders. PLoS ONE. 10(4): 1-19.
Marasco, C., Goodwin, C., Winder, D., Schramm-Sapyta, N., McLean, J., & Wikswo, J. (2014). Systems-level view of cocaine addiction: the interconnection of the immune and nervous systems. Experimental Biology and Medicine, 239(11): 1433-1442.
Mascret, N., Ibáñez-Gijón, J., Bréjard, V., Buekers, M., Casanova, R., Marqueste, T., Montagne, G., Rao, G., Roux, Y., & Cury, F. (2016). The Influence of the ‘Trier Social Stress Test’ on Free Throw Performance in Basketball: An Interdisciplinary Study. PLoS ONE, 11(6): 1-16.
Matsui, M., Pelle, E., Dong, K., & Pernodet, N. (2016). Biological Rhythms in the Skin. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 17(6): 1-18.
Ness, D., & Calabrese, P. (2015). Stress Effects on Multiple Memory System Interactions. Neural Plasticity, 1-20.
Tschacher, W., Schiepek, G., & Brunner, E. (2012). Self-organization and clinical psychology. Springer Science and Business Media.
Wang, Y., Zekveld, A., Naylor, G., Ohlenfrost, B., Jansma, E., Lorens, A., Lunner, T., & Kramer, S. (2016). Parasympathetic Nervous System Dysfunction, as Identified by Pupil Light Reflex, and Its Possible Connection to Hearing Impairment. PLoS ONE, 11(4):1-26.
