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Cholinergic Anti-Inflammatory Pathway

Meaning

The Cholinergic Anti-Inflammatory Pathway (CAP) describes a fundamental neuro-immune regulatory circuit where the central nervous system actively controls and dampens systemic inflammation. This pathway involves efferent signaling transmitted through the vagus nerve, which utilizes acetylcholine as its primary neurotransmitter to modulate the innate immune response. Clinically, understanding this mechanism provides a novel perspective on how the nervous system can dynamically influence inflammatory conditions, offering potential therapeutic targets for chronic inflammatory diseases that often intersect with hormonal imbalances. It represents a key physiological link ensuring rapid, precise coordination between neural activity and immune function.