The Cortex Regulates the Immune System and the Activities of a T-Cell Specific Immunopotentiator

Evidence has accumulated to demonstrate important bidirectional communications between the nervous and immune systems. The anatomic pathways of communication include the commitment of different midbrain areas to regulation of immunologic functions. Neuropeptides appear as critical mediators of neuroregulation of function of diverse immunocompetent cells. Biochemicals secreted by immunocompetent cells mediate the effects of the immune system on the nervous system. We provide suggestive evidence that the above summarized effects are under a lateralized control of the neocortex. Furthermore, the neocortex has a lateralized influence on the immunopotentiating effects of sodium diethyl dithiocarbamate (imuthiol), which compound selectively increases T-cell numbers and activities, and acts on cholaminergic pathways. Thus, a major hemispheric asymmetry in the response to a drug is revealed. These results point to an important influence of neocortex on number and function of immunocompetent cells, which role can be modified by pharmacologic agents.