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Annual Review of Psychology Jan 2015Sleep has a critical role in promoting health. Research over the past decade has documented that sleep disturbance has a powerful influence on the risk of infectious... (Review)
Review
Sleep has a critical role in promoting health. Research over the past decade has documented that sleep disturbance has a powerful influence on the risk of infectious disease, the occurrence and progression of several major medical illnesses including cardiovascular disease and cancer, and the incidence of depression. Increasingly, the field has focused on identifying the biological mechanisms underlying these effects. This review highlights the impact of sleep on adaptive and innate immunity, with consideration of the dynamics of sleep disturbance, sleep restriction, and insomnia on (a) antiviral immune responses with consequences for vaccine responses and infectious disease risk and (b) proinflammatory immune responses with implications for cardiovascular disease, cancer, and depression. This review also discusses the neuroendocrine and autonomic neural underpinnings linking sleep disturbance and immunity and the reciprocal links between sleep and inflammatory biology. Finally, interventions are discussed as effective strategies to improve sleep, and potential opportunities are identified to promote sleep health for therapeutic control of chronic infectious, inflammatory, and neuropsychiatric diseases.
Topics: Humans; Immune System; Inflammation; Psychoneuroimmunology; Sleep; Sleep Wake Disorders
PubMed: 25061767
DOI: 10.1146/annurev-psych-010213-115205 -
Frontiers in Immunology 2022Advances in the understanding of psychoneuroimmunology in the past decade have emphasized the notion that stress and cancer are interlinked closely. Durable chronic... (Review)
Review
Advances in the understanding of psychoneuroimmunology in the past decade have emphasized the notion that stress and cancer are interlinked closely. Durable chronic stress accelerated tumorigenesis and progression, which is unfavorable for clinical outcomes of cancer patients. Available evidence has provided unprecedented knowledge about the role and mechanisms of chronic stress in carcinogenesis, the most well-known one is dysfunction of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and the sympathetic nervous system (SNS). With abnormal activation of neuroendocrine system, stress-related hormones contribute to increased oncogenes expression, exacerbated chronic inflammation and impaired immunologic function. In addition, accumulating studies have demonstrated that diverse stress interventions including pharmacological approaches, physical exercises and psychological relaxation have been administered to assist in mental disorders reduction and life quality improvement in cancer patients. In this review, we systematically summarize the connection and mechanisms in the stress-immune-cancer axis identified by animal and clinical studies, as well as conclude the effectiveness and deficiencies of existing stress management strategies.
Topics: Animals; Stress, Psychological; Pituitary-Adrenal System; Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System; Neoplasms; Hormones
PubMed: 36275706
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1032294 -
Annual Review of Clinical Psychology May 2023Research conducted over the past several decades has revolutionized our understanding of the role of the immune system in neural and psychological development and... (Review)
Review
Research conducted over the past several decades has revolutionized our understanding of the role of the immune system in neural and psychological development and function across the life span. Our goal in this review is to introduce this dynamic area of research to a psychological audience and highlight its relevance for clinical psychology. We begin by introducing the basic physiology of immune-to-brain signaling and the neuroimmune network, focusing on inflammation. Drawing from preclinical and clinical research, we then examine effects of immune activation on key psychological domains, including positive and negative valence systems, social processes, cognition, and arousal (fatigue, sleep), as well as links with psychological disorders (depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, anxiety, schizophrenia). We also consider psychosocial stress as a critical modulator of neuroimmune activity and focus on early life adversity. Finally, we highlight psychosocial and mind-body interventions that influence the immune system and may promote neuroimmune resilience.
Topics: Humans; Psychology, Clinical; Psychoneuroimmunology; Brain; Communication; Anxiety
PubMed: 36791765
DOI: 10.1146/annurev-clinpsy-080621-045153 -
Frontiers in Immunology 2019Depression and fatigue are conditions responsible for heavy global societal burden, especially in patients already suffering from chronic diseases. These symptoms have... (Review)
Review
Depression and fatigue are conditions responsible for heavy global societal burden, especially in patients already suffering from chronic diseases. These symptoms have been identified by those affected as some of the most disabling symptoms which affect the quality of life and productivity of the individual. While many factors play a role in the development of depression and fatigue, both have been associated with increased inflammatory activation of the immune system affecting both the periphery and the central nervous system (CNS). This is further supported by the well-described association between diseases that involve immune activation and these symptoms in autoimmune disorders, such as multiple sclerosis and immune system activation in response to infections, like sepsis. Treatments for depression also support this immunopsychiatric link. Antidepressants have been shown to decrease inflammation, while higher levels of baseline inflammation predict lower treatment efficacy for most treatments. Those patients with higher initial immune activation may on the other hand be more responsive to treatments targeting immune pathways, which have been found to be effective in treating depression and fatigue in some cases. These results show strong support for the hypothesis that depression and fatigue are associated with an increased activation of the immune system which may serve as a valid target for treatment. Further studies should focus on the pathways involved in these symptoms and the development of treatments that target those pathways will help us to better understand these conditions and devise more targeted treatments.
Topics: Animals; Antidepressive Agents; Depression; Fatigue; Humans; Immunologic Factors; Inflammation
PubMed: 31379879
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.01696 -
Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews Nov 2022Schizophrenia has been an evolutionary paradox: it has high heritability, but it is associated with decreased reproductive success. The causal genetic variants... (Review)
Review
Schizophrenia has been an evolutionary paradox: it has high heritability, but it is associated with decreased reproductive success. The causal genetic variants underlying schizophrenia are thought to be under weak negative selection. To unravel this paradox, many evolutionary explanations have been suggested for schizophrenia. We critically discuss the constellation of evolutionary hypotheses for schizophrenia, highlighting the lack of empirical support for most existing evolutionary hypotheses-with the exception of the relatively well supported evolutionary mismatch hypothesis. It posits that evolutionarily novel features of contemporary environments, such as chronic stress, low-grade systemic inflammation, and gut dysbiosis, increase susceptibility to schizophrenia. Environmental factors such as microbial infections (e.g., Toxoplasma gondii) can better predict the onset of schizophrenia than polygenic risk scores. However, researchers have not been able to explain why only a small minority of infected people develop schizophrenia. The new etiological synthesis of schizophrenia indicates that an interaction between host genotype, microbe infection, and chronic stress causes schizophrenia, with neuroinflammation and gut dysbiosis mediating this etiological pathway. Instead of just alleviating symptoms with drugs, the parasite x genotype x stress model emphasizes that schizophrenia treatment should focus on detecting and treating possible underlying microbial infection(s), neuroinflammation, gut dysbiosis, and chronic stress.
Topics: Humans; Schizophrenia; Dysbiosis; Toxoplasma; Biological Evolution; Inflammation
PubMed: 36181926
DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104894 -
International Journal of Molecular... Jan 2022Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease with systemic manifestation, in which psychological factors play an important role. The etiology of psoriasis is complex... (Review)
Review
Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease with systemic manifestation, in which psychological factors play an important role. The etiology of psoriasis is complex and multifactorial, including genetic background and environmental factors such as emotional or physical stress. Psychological stress may also play a role in exacerbation of psoriasis, by dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, sympathetic-adrenal-medullary axis, peripheral nervous system, and immune system. Skin cells also express various neuropeptides and hormones in response to stress, including the fully functional analog of the HPA axis. The deterioration of psoriatic lesions is accompanied by increased production of inflammatory mediators, which could contribute to the imbalance of neurotransmitters and the development of symptoms of depression and anxiety. Therefore, deregulation of the crosstalk between endocrine, paracrine, and autocrine stress signaling pathways contributes to clinical manifestations of psoriasis, which requires multidisciplinary approaches.
Topics: Brain; Hormones; Humans; Inflammation; Psoriasis; Skin; Stress, Psychological
PubMed: 35054853
DOI: 10.3390/ijms23020669 -
Annual Review of Clinical Psychology 2005Stressors have a major influence upon mood, our sense of well-being, behavior, and health. Acute stress responses in young, healthy individuals may be adaptive and... (Review)
Review
Stressors have a major influence upon mood, our sense of well-being, behavior, and health. Acute stress responses in young, healthy individuals may be adaptive and typically do not impose a health burden. However, if the threat is unremitting, particularly in older or unhealthy individuals, the long-term effects of stressors can damage health. The relationship between psychosocial stressors and disease is affected by the nature, number, and persistence of the stressors as well as by the individual's biological vulnerability (i.e., genetics, constitutional factors), psychosocial resources, and learned patterns of coping. Psychosocial interventions have proven useful for treating stress-related disorders and may influence the course of chronic diseases.
Topics: Chronic Disease; Disease; Humans; Psychoneuroimmunology; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic; Stress Disorders, Traumatic; Stress, Psychological
PubMed: 17716101
DOI: 10.1146/annurev.clinpsy.1.102803.144141 -
Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews Sep 2022We performed a scientometric analysis of the scientific literature on ADHD to evaluate key themes and trends over the past decades, informing future lines of research.... (Review)
Review
We performed a scientometric analysis of the scientific literature on ADHD to evaluate key themes and trends over the past decades, informing future lines of research. We conducted a systematic search in Web of Science Core Collection up to 15 November, 2021 for scientific publications on ADHD. We retrieved 28,381 publications. We identified four major research trends: 1) ADHD treatment, risks factors and evidence synthesis; 2) neurophysiology, neuropsychology and neuroimaging; 3) genetics; 4) comorbidity. In chronological order, identified clusters of themes included: tricyclic antidepressants, ADHD diagnosis/treatment, bipolar disorder, EEG, polymorphisms, sleep, executive functions, pharmacology, genetics, environmental risk factors, emotional dysregulation, neuroimaging, non-pharmacological interventions, default mode network, Tourette, polygenic risk score, sluggish cognitive tempo, evidence-synthesis, toxins/chemicals, psychoneuroimmunology, Covid-19, and physical exercise. In conclusion, research on ADHD over the past decades has been driven mainly by a medical model. Whereas the neurobiological correlates of ADHD are undeniable and crucial, we look forward to further research on relevant psychosocial aspects related to ADHD, such as societal pressure, the concept of neurodiversity, and stigma.
Topics: Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity; COVID-19; Comorbidity; Executive Function; Humans; Neuroimaging
PubMed: 35798128
DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104769 -
Frontiers in Immunology 2022Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), mainly including ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD), is an autoimmune gastrointestinal disease characterized by chronic... (Review)
Review
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), mainly including ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD), is an autoimmune gastrointestinal disease characterized by chronic inflammation and frequent recurrence. Accumulating evidence has confirmed that chronic psychological stress is considered to trigger IBD deterioration and relapse. Moreover, studies have demonstrated that patients with IBD have a higher risk of developing symptoms of anxiety and depression than healthy individuals. However, the underlying mechanism of the link between psychological stress and IBD remains poorly understood. This review used a psychoneuroimmunology perspective to assess possible neuro-visceral integration, immune modulation, and crucial intestinal microbiome changes in IBD. Furthermore, the bidirectionality of the brain-gut axis was emphasized in the context, indicating that IBD pathophysiology increases the inflammatory response in the central nervous system and further contributes to anxiety- and depression-like behavioral comorbidities. This information will help accurately characterize the link between psychological stress and IBD disease activity. Additionally, the clinical application of functional brain imaging, microbiota-targeted treatment, psychotherapy and antidepressants should be considered during the treatment and diagnosis of IBD with behavioral comorbidities. This review elucidates the significance of more high-quality research combined with large clinical sample sizes and multiple diagnostic methods and psychotherapy, which may help to achieve personalized therapeutic strategies for IBD patients based on stress relief.
Topics: Humans; Psychoneuroimmunology; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases; Stress, Psychological; Brain; Chronic Disease; Antidepressive Agents
PubMed: 36275694
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1016578 -
Brain, Behavior, & Immunity - Health Mar 2022Yoga is an ancient system for integrating the mind, body, and spirit. In the yoga tradition (the eight limb Patanjali Yoga), three of the limbs are meditation,...
Yoga is an ancient system for integrating the mind, body, and spirit. In the yoga tradition (the eight limb Patanjali Yoga), three of the limbs are meditation, breathwork () and physical postures (, which are widely practised in yoga classes. The benefits of yoga for mental and physical health are rooted in the practice's origins: in yoga, stress is said to be the root of all diseases. The established fields of psychoneuroimmunology and immunopsychiatry study the interplay between the immune system and mood or mental states. This mini-review has shifted the emphasis from research that focuses on yoga's benefits for stress, the most commonly studied outcome of yoga research, to a summary of the research on the effects of yoga practices on the immune system. The current literature bears strong evidence for the benefits of yoga on the levels of circulating cortisol and classical inflammatory markers, such as C-reactive protein (CRP) and cytokines such as interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), interleukin 6 (IL-6), tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interferon-gamma (INF-γ). The evidence for other less studied markers, telomerase activity, β-endorphins, Immunoglobulin A (IgA) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is also growing. This mini-review centres around the interplay between yoga and these markers in stress management and depression, vascular and immune function in the older population, cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, auto-immune diseases, breast cancer and pregnancy. Overall, the literature examined reveals the novelty of this field of research and sheds light on methodological challenges; however, it uncovers the potential for yoga to be used as adjuvant therapy in conditions with an inflammatory component.
PubMed: 35199049
DOI: 10.1016/j.bbih.2022.100421