[S23] Mechanisms of exacerbations by cyclic peripheral-central pathway through brain function in refractory disease

Fri. Mar 29, 2024 3:30 PM - 5:30 PM [Room 313] Conference Center 313+314 (3F)

Organizer: Kuzumaki Naoko, Ryuta Koyama (Lab. Chem. Pharmacol., Grad. Sch. Pharmaceut. Sci., Univ. Tokyo)

Intractable diseases are difficult to treat and increase the burden of daily living due to their prolonged duration. The development of these diseases is influenced by higher brain dysfunction through excessive afferent signals. As a result, intractable diseases often cause a variety of peripheral symptoms. Changes in higher brain function impair a variety of central and efferent functions, including emotion, social cognition, and decision-making, significantly exacerbating the patient’s daily and social activities. Neuroinflammation in the brain and spinal cord leads to altered efferent autonomic and endocrine responses, resulting in immunosuppression and peripheral organ dysfunction. Accordingly, brain dysfunction associated with refractory disease requires careful evaluation in parallel with the course of the refractory disease itself. Efforts to manage brain dysfunction must be standardized to support and improve the quality of life of patients with refractory disease. In this symposium, we outline the peripheral-central circular exacerbation mechanism of brain-mediated refractory disease, focusing on changes in higher brain function associated with various refractory diseases.