pathway
Neuroimmune System Map
Vagal, sympathetic, sensory neuron, neuropeptide, and microglial control of immune tone.
Review layer
Last reviewed 2026-05-17
Systems teaching draft. Content is structured for education and graph expansion, with formal source tagging ready for the next review pass.
core
Systems Frame
The neuroimmune module treats immunity and nervous system signaling as one regulatory surface: stress hormones, vagal restraint, pain/itch circuits, and sickness behavior change immune thresholds.
Core Concepts
Key Interactions
Vagal cholinergic signaling restrains macrophage TNF-alpha and IL-6 output.
CRH and substance P can lower mast cell activation thresholds in barrier tissues.
IL-1beta, IL-6, and TNF-alpha translate peripheral inflammation into fatigue, fever, pain, and behavioral adaptation.
Microglia integrate sleep, infection, stress, and barrier signals into neuroinflammatory states.
Scenario Examples
chronic stress -> mast cell sensitization
infection -> sickness behavior
gut inflammation -> vagal afferent signaling