Psychoneuroimmunology--mind-brain-immune interactions
Psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) is the study of
the interaction between psychological processes and the nervous and immune systems of the human body. PNI takes an interdisciplinary
approach, incorporating psychology, neuroscience, immunology, physiology, pharmacology, molecular biology, psychiatry, behavioral
medicine, infectious diseases, endocrinology, and rheumatology.The main interests
of PNI are the interactions between the nervous and immune systems and the relationships between mental processes and health.
PNI studies, among other things, the physiological functioning of the neuroimmune system in health and disease; disorders
of the neuroimmune system (autoimmune diseases; hypersensitivities; immune deficiency); and the physical, chemical and physiological
characteristics of the components of the neuroimmune system in vitro, in situ, and in vivo.PNI may also be referred to as psychoendoneuroimmunology (PENI). PNI research is looking for the exact mechanisms
by which specific brainimmunity effects are achieved. Evidence for nervous system–immune system interactions exists
at several biological levels.The immune system and the brain talk to each other
through signaling pathways. The brain and the immune system are the two major adaptive systems of the body. During an immune
response the brain and the immune system "talk to each other" and this process is essential for maintaining homeostasis.
Two major pathway systems are involved in this cross-talk: the Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA axis) and the sympathetic
nervous system (SNS). The activation of SNS during an immune response might be aimed to localize the inflammatory response.
Communication
between the brain and immune system
- Stimulation of brain sites alters immunity (stressed
people have altered immune systems).
- Immune cells produce cytokines that act on the Central Nervous System.
- Immune cells respond to signals from the Central
Nervous System .
