When Does the Immune Response to an Infection Begin?

In a virtual reality simulation, the brains of healthy people released neuroimmune mediators in response to the threat of infection by perceived “sick” people.

When an infectious agent enters the body, the innate immune system responds immediately, with the adaptive immune response following shortly thereafter. Theoretically, having the immune system primed to respond the moment an infection began would be advantageous. Of course, vaccines achieve that goal. But a new study shows that a “mind–body” mechanism might do so, as well.

An international team provided virtual reality (VR) headsets to 250 healthy volunteers. The VR projected other people (avatars) nearby: The behavior or appearance of some of these people indicated they had infections, whereas others appeared to be healthy. The VR-wearers' brain responses to the approach of “sick” or healthy people were measured by electroencephalography an…

Reviewing Author

Anthony L. Komaroff, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardSerImmune Inc.; DxTerity

Grant / Research SupportNIH (1U54NS105542-01)

Editorial BoardsHarvard Health Letter; UpToDate

Anthony L. Komaroff, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardSerImmune Inc.; DxTerity

Grant / Research SupportNIH (1U54NS105542-01)

Editorial BoardsHarvard Health Letter; UpToDate

When Does the Immune Response to an Infection Begin?

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Reviewing Author