Jane Salmon, MD

Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, NY

2009 Central Nervous System
2009 General Immune System Function
2009 New Treatments

Cholinergic modulation of immune complex-mediated inflammatory responses

In this interdisciplinary study, Dr. Salmon and colleagues will take a novel look at the interface between the immune system and the nervous system—and examine the possibility that neural networks influence immune responses and mediators of injury in lupus.

Their novel idea is that the “cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway” limits the release of certain chemicals (cytokines and oxidants) in key areas and thereby reduces the intensity of damage caused by autoantibodies in lupus, particularly in the kidneys.

Dr. Salmon’s approach provides new hope that with drugs or with electrical stimulation, we can enhance the activity of this natural anti-inflammatory neural circuit, and harness its power to prevent or decrease organ damage in lupus.

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