The Immune System and Mental Health

Hymie Anisman received his PhD from the University of Waterloo, where he was also on faculty for two years, and has been a Professor at Carleton University, since 1994. He has also held an adjunct appointment with the Institute of Mental Health Research (Royal Ottawa Hospital) since 1993. Professor Anisman was a Senior Ontario Mental Health Research Fellow, is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, and held a Canada Research Chair in Neuroscience from 2001-2015, and has since held the position of Canada Research Professor. The principle theme of his research has concerned the influence of stressors on neurochemical, neuroendocrine and immune systems, and how these influence psychological (anxiety, depression) and physical illnesses including neurodegenerative, heart disease, and cancer progression. Shawn Hayley is a Full Professor and previous Canada Research Chair in the Department of Neuroscience at Carleton University. Some of his research examines how the immune system influences neuroplasticity of the brain and consequently, how could be important for the development of new antidepressant drugs. As well, Dr. Hayley has been focused on how inflammation within the brain can cause neuronal degeneration and contribute to the onset and progression of Parkinson's disease. The Hayley lab is involved in studies in assessing how chemical (e.g. pesticides) immunologic (e.g. viral, bacterial agents) and even psychological environmental stressors can contribute to the development of Parkinson's disease, as well as it comorbid states (e.g. depression, anxiety). Much of this research is focused on how the brain's specialized immune cells, the microglia, are involved in the generation of neuronal pathology, as well as possibly recovery from pathology. Alex Kusnecov received his doctorate from the University of Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia, after which he conducted postdoctoral research in psychoneuroimmunology at the University of Rochester. Subsequently, he held a faculty appointment in the Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, USA. He is currently a Professor within the Department of Psychology at Rutgers University, where his research involves the analyses of functional relationships between the brain and behavior, endocrine systems, and immune processes. His research on psychoneuroimmunology has appeared in prestigious journals, and together with Dr. Anisman, he has published two books (one an edited volume, and the other a text dealing with the involvement of the immune system in mental illnesses and neurodegenerative disorders). His research is funded by the National Institutes of Mental Health (NIMH). He serves on the editorial board of Brain, Behavior and Immunity, and has served on several National Institute for Health research grant panels, and has reviewed grants for Canadian and European grant agencies. He has acted as undergraduate director of the Department of Psychology, and currently co-chairs the Department of Psychology Diversity and Climate Committee.