TLDR · SCIENCE & FUTURISTIC TECHNOLOGY

FOUND: THE DIAL IN THE BRAIN THAT CONTROLS THE IMMUNE SYSTEM

nature.com6 min read

Summary from the TLDR newsletter

Scientists have identified the brain cells that regulate inflammation and determined how they keep tabs on the immune response. The neurons that act as the master dial for the immune system live in the brain stem, the stalk-like structure that connects the bulk of the brain to the spinal cord. The finding could lead to treatments for autoimmune diseases and other conditions caused by an excessive immune response. The mechanism by which the brain sends signals back to the immune system to regulate inflammation remains unclear.