Anatomical Networks: Structure and Function of the Nervous System

The understanding of the gross and fine structure of the brain is of fundamental importance to elucidate how the nervous system works, how it interacts with other peripheral organs and tissues and how it responds to external stimuli. The functions and activity of the nervous system are not only regulated by its intrinsic wiring but also by interactions with cellular components of peripheral tissues. Of significant importance are the interactions between the nervous system with the immune and endocrine systems. While for the former, interactions involve trafficking of immune and hematopoietic cells into the brain; the latter interactions are primarily of a chemical nature, mediated by hormones and growth factors that reach the nervous system via the circulation.

In this context, the main objective of this chapter will be to provide an overview to the structure and organization of the nervous system that is relevant to the understanding of the unique interactions between the nervous and the immune system and to elucidate the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), HIV encephalitis (HIVE), and other neurodegenerative and neuroinflammatory disorders (Ringheim and Conant, 2004; Gendelman, 2002; Ho et al., 2005).