Neuroimmune and Body-Brain Cross-Talk – NICT
NOTE: Starts with the October 2026 Council round submission dates (Cycle I due dates). This study section was evaluated as part of CSR’s ENQUIRE process to align study sections with advances in science. Learn more about ENQUIRE.
NICT reviews applications that examine neuroglial interactions in the context of neurological disorders. Additionally, the study section reviews applications that focus on the cross-talk between the central nervous system and the peripheral organs in the context of neurological disorders. Most studies rely on in vitro and/or in vivo systems including model organisms (invertebrate or vertebrate) or human cellular models and tissues.
Review Dates
Topics
- Mechanisms of neuroglial interactions in the development and progression of neurological disorders
- Body-Brain cross-talk: understanding central nervous system (CNS) mechanisms underlying neurological disorders resulting from interactions with the peripheral organ systems
- Neuroendocrine, hormonal imbalance/dysfunctions in mechanisms underlying neurological disorders
- Role of microbiome-brain axis in mechanisms underlying neurological disorders
- Inflammatory biomarkers of neuroimmune cross-talk
- Therapeutic development targeting neuroimmune and neuroinflammation mechanisms in neurological disorders
Shared Interests and Overlaps
There are shared interests between NICT and Immune Signaling and Neurologic Disorders - ISND study sections in applications focused on neuroglial interactions. If the focus is on the immune system and glial function and mechanisms, applications are typically reviewed in ISND. Applications examining neuro-glial interaction and mechanisms underlying neurological disorders, focused on changes in neuronal function may be reviewed in NICT.
There are shared interests in microbiome studies or enteric nervous system with Gut-Brain, Neuro-Immune, and Multi-Organ Interactions in GI Biology - DIN (82). Applications where the focus is on the effects of the microbiome, microbial metabolites, or enteric nervous system on the brain may be reviewed in NICT, whereas those that focus predominantly on gastrointestinal function or dysfunction may be reviewed by DIN (82).
There are shared interests between Clinical Neuroimmunology and Brain Tumors Study Section - CNBT and NICT in applications that study neuroimmunology or neuroinflammation in neurological diseases. Applications that are preclinical and/or use human subjects and emphasize neuroimmune or autoimmune disorders and consequences of infectious insults on neurological disorders are typically reviewed in CNBT. Applications focused on the role of immune cells or inflammation in the risk, pathogenesis, or pathophysiology of neurodegenerative diseases or organ-brain crosstalk may be reviewed in NICT.
There are shared interests in neuroimmune and neuroinflammatory mechanisms in aging and neurodegenerative disorders between NICT and Aging Systems and Geriatrics - ASG and Clinical Neurodegeneration Translational Neuroscience - CNTN. Studies on neuroimmune and neuroinflammatory involvement in geriatric syndrome and multi-organ comorbidities in human subjects are reviewed in ASG. Clinical studies on neuroimmune interaction and neuroinflammation in neurodegenerative diseases in human subjects are reviewed in CNTN. Preclinical studies using animal models or human cellular and organoid models related to neuroimmune and neuroinflammatory mechanisms in neurodegenerative diseases and body-brain cross-talk are reviewed in NICT.
There is shared interest between Basic and Mechanistic Glial Studies - BMGS and NICT in reviewing applications that study glial function in the CNS. Applications that focus on basic glial function are reviewed in BMGS whereas applications examining neuro-glial interaction and mechanisms underlying neurological disorders, focused on changes in neuronal function may be reviewed in NICT.
