Abstract
In several central nervous system diseases, it has been reported that inflammation may be related to the etiologic process, therefore, therapeutic strategies are being implemented to control inflammation. As the nervous system and the immune system maintain close bidirectional communication in physiological and pathological conditions, the modulation of inflammation through the cholinergic anti-inflammatory reflex has been proposed. In this review, we summarized the evidence supporting chemical stimulation with cholinergic agonists and vagus nerve stimulation as therapeutic strategies in the treatment of various central nervous system pathologies, and their effect on inflammation.
Highlights
Different mechanisms indicating bidirectional communication between the nervous system and the immune system have been reported
In this review, we focus on the modulation of the anti-inflammatory reflex through the vagus nerve stimulation and pharmacological approach, as an alternative therapy for central nervous system diseases
As neuroinflammation and cholinergic deficit are processes involved in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) [77], we review the main findings of modulation of inflammation through the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway in this disease
Summary
Different mechanisms indicating bidirectional communication between the nervous system and the immune system have been reported This communication is possible because common receptors and ligands are expressed in cells of both systems. Through these receptors, the nervous system has a regulatory role on the immune system, defined as neuroimmunomodulation [1]. Stimulation of the vagus nerve controls inflammation at the peripheral level, and in the central nervous system through α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (α7nAChR). This evidences prompted to employ of the vagus nerve electrical stimulation and modulation with α7nAChR agonists, as alternative therapies for neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders [5]. In this review, we focus on the modulation of the anti-inflammatory reflex through the vagus nerve stimulation and pharmacological approach, as an alternative therapy for central nervous system diseases
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