Course Identification

Brain-Immune Axis course (Prof. Michal Schwartz, Dr. Tal Iram, Dr. Tamar Ben-Shaanan)

General introduction to neuroimmunology (Prof. Michal Schwartz)

• Overview of neuroimmunology as an interdisciplinary field
• Basic principles of immunology in relation to brain function
• The immune system’s role in maintaining brain health and contributing to disease

  Brain anatomy and cellular elements (Dr. Tal Iram)

• Structural organization of the brain
• Key cellular components
• Brain barriers: blood-brain barrier (BBB), meningeal lymphatics
• Brain clearance mechanisms and the role of sleep in neuroimmune regulation

Brain-Body communication pathways (Dr. Tamar Ben-Shaanan)

• Sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems
• Neuroimmune responses during rest, stress, and danger
• Bidirectional signaling between the central nervous system and peripheral immune system

The brain-Immune ecosystem in healthy brain function Plasticity (Prof. Michal Schwartz)

• Immune modulation of synaptic plasticity and neurogenesis
• Role of cytokines and microglia in learning and memory
• Immune surveillance and maintenance of neural circuits

Immune Cells in CNS Injury, Aging, and Neurodegeneration (Prof. Michal Schwartz, Dr. Tal Iram)

• Immune responses in acute brain injuries (e.g., stroke, trauma)
• Chronic inflammation and immune dysregulation in aging
• Microglial activation and peripheral immune infiltration in neurodegenerative conditions

Immunological Aspects of Aging and Neurodegenerative Diseases (Dr. Tal Iram, Prof. Michal Schwartz)

• Immune system changes with age
• Pathophysiology of Alzheimer’s disease and age-related dementias
• Neuroinflammation and immune biomarkers in disease progression

Immunotherapies and Mental Health (Prof. Michal Schwartz)

• Emerging immunotherapies for neurodegenerative diseases
• Immune system involvement in mental stress, depression, and PTSD
• Therapeutic strategies targeting neuroimmune pathways

Immune-Brain Interaction in the Placebo Effect (Dr. Tamar Ben-Shaanan)

• Neuroimmune mechanisms underlying placebo responses
• Brain regions and immune mediators involved in expectation and healing

Immune Cells in Neurodevelopmental Disorders

• Immune dysregulation in conditions like Rett syndrome and schizophrenia
• Impact of prenatal and early-life viral infections on brain development
• Neuroimmune contributions to behavioral and cognitive symptoms

Upon successful completion of the course students will be able to:

[1] Demonstrate understanding of Brain immunology.

[2] Discuss the role of the immune system in brain plasticity (cell renewal from neural stem cells, cognition and coping with stress) and what gets awry in brain aging and dementia.

[3] Demonstrate understanding of basic aspects of brain immunity under stress, posttraumatic stress disorders and depression.

[5] Have basic aspect of central nervous system healing and the missing link in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer?s diseases and ALS.