Positive Health Online

Abstract

VEDHARA and colleagues, Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Bristol, Clifton UK. k.vedhara@bris.ac.uk write that in recent years there has been a dramatic increase in research devoted to the psycho-behavioural modulation of immune function in the field of Psychoneuroimmunology (PNI). The authors review (85 references) the field regarding measuring stress-related immune dysfunction in PNI.

Background

Methodology

Results

and Discussion: The authors caution that since PNIs inception, considerable uncertainty has existed regarding the significance of the immune outcomes detected, which has been compounded by the equivocal nature of certain data. The authors feel that a great deal of the uncertainty could be overcome if a clearer understanding was achieved regarding the advantages and limitations of the many immune assays described in the literature, which would in turn encourage their more appropriate use within PNI. In their review the authors describe the rationale underlying and evaluate some of the more frequently used in vitro and in vivo immunological and virological techniques.

Conclusion

The authors hope that a clearer understanding of the rationale behind such assays and their inherent advantages and limitations will inform the discussion of the significance of stress-related immune impairment.

References

Vehara K et al. The measurement of stress-related immune dysfunction in psychoneuroimmunology. Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews 23(5): 699-715. May 1999.