Neuroimmunopharmacologic Effects of Drugs of Abuse

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
The immune system plays a dual role in the context of drug addiction. It is capable of being influenced by neuroactive drugs and at the same time is capable of modulating the pharmacologic action of these substances. In some instances, drugs of abuse may act directly upon cells of the immune system while in others, the actions may be indirect, mediated through changes in neurotransmitter activity. The latter can influence the immune system via the autonomic nervous system and/or neuroendocrine circuits. The opposite is also true. A number of immune system peptides have been found to modulate some of the same neurotransmitter systems which are acted upon by drugs of abuse. Consequently, the relationship between neuroactive pharmacologic compounds and the immune system has to be considered as a bi-directional one.