Neuro-immune interactions in memory

Responding appropriately to both internal and external factors to maintain homeostasis is key to survival in a dynamic environment. Memory is an adaptive brain function that enables organisms to interact efficiently with their environment by processing and storing perceptual input. Memory functions by shaping behaviour in the present, based on past experiences. These experiences are defined by both external environmental cues and internal signals (physiological states) and these dual sources of information require integration and feedback between central and peripheral systems. The immune system is a key physiological system that works to protect against pathogens and maintain homeostasis, and can also mediate behavioural changes through communication with the brain. Here we review the dynamic relationship between memory and the immune system in both health and disease.