Positive Health Online

Abstract

MALARKEY and MILLS, Department of Internal Medicine,The Ohio State University Medical Center, Columbus, OH 43210, USA, william.malarkey@osumc.edu, have written a review (40 references) on endocrinology as the active partner in psycho-neuroimmunology research.

Abstract: For the past two decades, research has significantly deepened our understanding of the complexities of endocrine regulation of immunity in states of health and disease. This mini-review discusses contributions that endocrinology has made to the field of psycho-neuroimmunology, as well as discoveries that psycho-neuroimmunology researchers have made of the pervasive interactions between the endocrine and immune systems. We highlight the endocrine-immune interface, emphasizing similarities between the immune and endocrine systems as well as hormone/cytokine interactions. Differing endocrine-immune responses to acute and chronic psychosocial stress have been clarified during this time frame with the use of novel stress and endocrine sampling paradigms. Furthermore, investigations examining the role of cytokine involvement in acquired glucocorticoid resistance in illnesses such as depression have expanded our understanding of the complexity of the endocrine-immune response to psychosocial stress. We have selected literature, with a focus on human studies, to illustrate these principles. We conclude with a discussion of the clinical relevance of endocrine-immune investigations and thoughts about the next decade of endocrine research in psycho-neuroimmunology.

Background

Methodology

Results

Conclusion

References

Malarkey WB, Mills PJ. Endocrinology: the active partner in PNI research. Brain, Behavior, & Immunity 21 (2): 161-168, Feb 2007.