The neuro-immune axis: prospect for novel treatments for mental disorders.

Disturbed bidirectional pathways between the (central) nervous system and immune system have been implicated in various mental disorders, including depressive and neurodevelopmental disorders. In this minireview, the role of the neuro-immune axis and its targetability in relation to major depression and autism spectrum disorder will be discussed. All together, the management of these and possibly other multi-factorial mental disorders needs a new and integrated therapeutic approach. Pharmacologically bioactive molecules as well as medical nutrition targeting the (gut)-immune-brain axis could be such an approach. © 2013 Nordic Pharmacological Society.