Dr. Staci Bilbo, Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience at Duke University, will present: "The Mind-Body Connection and the Secret Life of your Immune System."

Activation of the immune system via illness, poor nutrition, or a stressful environment in youth can alter early brain development and impact adult mood, physical health, and ability to think and can influence health outcomes like obesity and drug use. Understanding how the immune system interacts with the body and brain to produce these results guides our ability to lessen their harm. Social factors like poverty, pollution, and addiction contribute to activation of the immune system.  Thus, it is also important to work with communities to dampen the devastating influence of these social factors on the growing brain.  Dr. Bilbo will talk about research in an animal model examining the impact of combined environmental stressors during pregnancy on offspring mental health outcomes, and how these impacts may be mitigated by targeting the immune system.

When: Thursday, March 25, 2021, 5:30pm - 6:30pm.

Where: Zoom via https://olemiss.zoom.us/j/97568315885

Cost: Free!

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