Nature Study: Zuker's Team Identifies Brain's cNST Region Controlling Immunity

May 2, 2024, 09:47 AM

Recent scientific research has identified a specific region in the brain that can control the immune system by sending and receiving signals from vagal neurons, effectively regulating inflammatory responses. This discovery, led by HHMI Investigator Charles Zuker and his team at ColumbiaMed and ZuckermanBrain, highlights a body-brain circuit that can either amplify or reduce inflammation. The study, published in Nature, utilized advanced techniques like single-cell sequencing, functional imaging, and spatial omics to delineate this new circuit involving cNST. Researchers found that activating certain neurons in the brainstem could decrease inflammatory molecules in the blood, offering potential new avenues for treating inflammatory conditions.