Author/Editor		Vodovnik, Lojze; Miklavčič, Damijan; Kotnik, Tadej
Title		Possible effects of electric currents on the nervous - endocrine - immune interactions
Type		članek
Source		In: Magjarević R, editor. Biomedical measurement and instrumentation - BMI'98. Proceedings of the 8th international IMEKO TC-13 conference on measurement in clinical medicine and 12th international symposium on biomedical engineering; 1998 Sep 16-19; Dubrovnik. Zagreb: KoREMA,
Publication year		1998
Volume		str. 1-3-1-5
Language		eng
Abstract		In recent years, complex interactions between the nervous, the endocrine and the immune system have been thoroughly investigated, resulting in a large database of knowledge. On the other hand, the effectiveness of electrical stimulation of the neourons has also been widely demonstrated, and the techniques of such stimulation are well-established. A combination of the two knowledges offers a possibility to artificially influene the nervous - endocrine - immune (NEI) interactions, in caes when the immunity of a person is impaired, or its glandular functions are disordered. This paper deals with the possibility of such therapies. After a general review of the known NEI interactions, we synthesize the presented knowledge into a model. Based on this model, we then present a concept of modification of NEI interactions by means of electrical stimulation of the autonomic nervous system. Finally, using this model, we attermpt to explain the global effect of electrical stimulation on wound healing, which has been observed on several occasions, and possible use of electrical stimulation for cancer treatment.
Descriptors		WOUND HEALING ELECTRIC STIMULATION THERAPY NEOPLASMS NERVOUS SYSTEM ENDOCRINE GLANDS IMMUNE SYSTEM