Psychoneuroimmunology

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) is a medical/scientific discipline, which studies the relationships between psychological states of the human mind and the response of the immune system to these particular states. The author presents specific PNI research focuses: the physical interactions between the immune system, the nervous system and the neuroendocrine system, the psychosocial components that influence immunity and its effects on the body, and the influence of immunity on psychological disorders and behavior. The paper then describes the connections between the central nervous system,the immune system and the brain. The author concludes the PNI research may discover many new approaches to the science of medicine, which hold the key to preventing and curing diseases via the mind/body connection.

From the Paper:

"In regard to the connections between the central nervous system and the immune system, the process seems to involve several pathways. The most direct is related to the primary (the thymus being the central gland of the lymphatic system and bone marrow) and secondary lymphoid organs (being the spleen) that are intermeshed by noradrenergic nerve fibers. The function and effects of these noradrenergic never fibers on the functions associated with the immune system vary greatly and are dependent on the kinds of cells and receptors that make up the cell surfaces which affect certain immune functions."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Bachen, E., Cohen, S. & Marsland, A.L. (1997). Psychoimmunology. In A. Baum, et al. (eds) Cambridge Handbook of Psychology, Health and Medicine. Cambridge University Press, 35-39.
• Cohen, S. & Herbert, T.B. (1996). Health Psychology: Psychological Factors and Physical Disease From the Perspective of Human Psychoneuroimmunology. Annual Review of Psychology. 47, 113-142.
• De Kooker, Margo. (January 2001). Psychoneuroimmunology: An Overview. Internet. Wellness Support Programme. Retrieved August 27, 2003. http://www.wellness.org.za/html/pni.html.
• Martin, Paul. (1997). The Sickening Mind: Brain, Behavior, Immunity & Disease. London: Harper Collins.
• Pelletier, K. (1999). Psychoneuroimmunology: Toward a Mind/Body Model. Advances: Institute for the Advancement of Health. 15 1, 27-56.

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