Presentation Description:
Endobiogenic medicine is a global systems perspective that recognizes the neuroendocrine system to be the manager of physiology, facilitating growth, development, and adaptation to both internal and external demands. The immune system is a mechanism or tool of the neuroendocrine system to assist in adaptation and survival given the vulnerability of a system open to the outside world. The neuroendocrine system is therefore directly or indirectly involved in all immune activity, from the production of immune cells and elements to cell defense mechanisms and the regulation of immune activity to meet the perceived demand.

Immune system activity involves production of immune elements which is regulated by the gonadotropic and thyrotropic axes . The pancreas and liver play key roles in providing the raw materials for immune system production and their function must be a part of assessing immune competency.

The neuroendocrine system then regulates the three types of activity necessary in an immune response: 1) calibration of immune activity or the initial pro-inflammatory mechanisms of isolation and attack; 2) mobilization of immune cells - getting immune elements where they need to be and localizing the immune response and 3) diminution of the immune response and equilibration of the inflammation response. Each stage of immune response is managed by synchronized activity between hormones from the pineal, hypothalamus, pituitary and peripheral endocrine organs. Immune imbalance can be hypo-, hyper-, auto- or dysregulated. Approaching immunity from this global systems approach offers great depth into understanding the individual patient expression of symptoms and disease and allows for curated, precise and efficient treatment.
 
After the presentation, participants will be able to confidently:

1. Gain an overview of the neuroendocrine patterns influencing and managing production of immune elements and the three activities necessary in immune activity/function.
2. Understand the role of hepato-pancreatic function in immunity.
3. Understand the key neuroendocrine patterns in hypo-, hyper-, auto- and dysregulated immunity with examples of conditions for each.
4. Learn physical exam and historical findings that point toward particular neuroendocrine patterns contributing to hypo-immune or hyper-immune states.
5. Discuss nutrition, lifestyle habits and herbs which aid in neuroendocrine activity and thereby impact/improve immune regulation.