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Frontiers in Immunology 2018Recent findings have deeply changed the current view of coronary heart disease, going beyond the simplistic model of atherosclerosis as a passive process involving... (Review)
Review
Recent findings have deeply changed the current view of coronary heart disease, going beyond the simplistic model of atherosclerosis as a passive process involving cholesterol build-up in the subintimal space of the arteries until their final occlusion and/or thrombosis and instead focusing on the key roles of inflammation and the immune system in plaque formation and destabilization. Chronic inflammation is a typical hallmark of cardiac disease, worsening outcomes irrespective of serum cholesterol levels. Low-grade chronic inflammation correlates with higher incidence of several non-cardiac diseases, including depression, and chronic depression is now listed among the most important cardiovascular risk factors for poor prognosis among patients with myocardial infarction. In this review, we include recent evidence describing the immune and endocrine properties of the heart and their critical roles in acute ischaemic damage and in post-infarct myocardial remodeling. The importance of the central and autonomic regulation of cardiac functions, namely, the neuro-cardiac axis, is extensively explained, highlighting the roles of acute and chronic stress, circadian rhythms, emotions and the social environment in triggering acute cardiac events and worsening heart function and metabolism in chronic cardiovascular diseases. We have also included specific sections related to stress-induced myocardial ischaemia measurements and stress cardiomyopathy. The complex network of reciprocal interconnections between the heart and the main biological systems we have presented in this paper provides a new vision of cardiovascular science based on psychoneuroendocrineimmunology.
Topics: Animals; Circadian Rhythm; Coronary Artery Disease; Heart; Humans; Inflammation; Lipid Metabolism; Myocardial Ischemia; Myocardium; Neuroendocrinology; Psychoneuroimmunology; Risk Factors; Social Environment; Stress, Psychological
PubMed: 30237802
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.02031 -
Current Opinion in Psychology Feb 2019In this review, I outline how attachment experiences in adulthood are thought to be related to the immune system. After a brief primer on the two branches of the immune... (Review)
Review
In this review, I outline how attachment experiences in adulthood are thought to be related to the immune system. After a brief primer on the two branches of the immune system, I describe a theoretical model that explains how adults' attachment orientation could influence various immune processes. I then review recent findings documenting novel associations between attachment orientation and measures of the immune system, including inflammatory processes and cellular immunity. I conclude with a discussion about future directions focused on how we can advance our understanding about the role of attachment in shaping immune processes in ways that could shape our health over the lifespan.
Topics: Humans; Immunity, Cellular; Models, Psychological; Object Attachment; Psychological Theory
PubMed: 29631123
DOI: 10.1016/j.copsyc.2018.03.012 -
Annals of Neurosciences Apr 2022Meditation is a conscious mental discipline, that has been implicated in the relaxation response. The mechanism behind such a relaxing effect is psychoneuroimmunology... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Meditation is a conscious mental discipline, that has been implicated in the relaxation response. The mechanism behind such a relaxing effect is psychoneuroimmunology (PNI), based on the interaction between mind, physical health, and self-healing; that conceptualizes that stress and an individual's emotional state led to predisposition to diseases. Research to date suggests that meditation may play an active role in remodeling the imbalance between mind and body by modulating the psychoneuroimmunological effects of stress. However, to date, the multi-dimensional psychoneuroimmune aspects of meditation together have not been completely explicated. An evidence-based mechanism has been framed for the first time in India to explain the psychoneuroimmunology of regular and long-term meditation practice.
SUMMARY
Present evidence-based mechanism confirms prefrontal cortex (PFC) acts as a 'Functional Connectome' where psycho-neuro-immune aspects of meditation function simultaneously to exert positive benefits in the regulation of cognitive and emotional behavior. Also, this mechanism will help us to understand how human augmentation with lifestyle modification fosters brain plasticity to overcome various neuropsychiatric illnesses.
KEY MESSAGE
Meditation is a scientific tool against neuro-psychiatric illnesses.
PubMed: 36419515
DOI: 10.1177/09727531221109117 -
Psychopharmacology May 2016Psychosocial stressors are a well-documented risk factor for mental illness. Neuroinflammation, in particular elevated microglial activity, has been proposed to mediate... (Review)
Review
RATIONALE
Psychosocial stressors are a well-documented risk factor for mental illness. Neuroinflammation, in particular elevated microglial activity, has been proposed to mediate this association. A number of preclinical studies have investigated the effect of stress on microglial activity. However, these have not been systematically reviewed before.
OBJECTIVES
This study aims to systematically review the effects of stress on microglia, as indexed by the histological microglial marker ionised calcium binding adaptor molecule 1 (Iba-1), and consider the implications of these for the role of stress in the development of mental disorders.
METHODS
A systematic review was undertaken using pre-defined search criteria on PubMed and EMBASE. Inclusion and data extraction was agreed by two independent researchers after review of abstracts and full text.
RESULTS
Eighteen studies met the inclusion criteria. These used seven different psychosocial stressors, including chronic restraint, social isolation and repeated social defeat in gerbils, mice and/or rats. The hippocampus (11/18 studies) and prefrontal cortex (13/18 studies) were the most frequently studied areas. Within the hippocampus, increased Iba-1 levels of between 20 and 200 % were reported by all 11 studies; however, one study found this to be a duration-dependent effect. Of those examining the prefrontal cortex, ∼75 % found psychosocial stress resulted in elevated Iba-1 activity. Elevations were also consistently seen in the nucleus accumbens, and under some stress conditions in the amygdala and paraventricular nucleus.
CONCLUSIONS
There is consistent evidence that a range of psychosocial stressors lead to elevated microglial activity in the hippocampus and good evidence that this is also the case in other brain regions. These effects were seen with early-life/prenatal stress, as well as stressors in adulthood. We consider these findings in terms of the two-hit hypothesis, which proposes that early-life stress primes microglia, leading to a potentiated response to subsequent stress. The implications for understanding the pathoaetiology of mental disorders and the development of new treatments are also considered.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Inflammation; Mental Disorders; Microglia; Psychoneuroimmunology; Psychotic Disorders; Stress, Psychological
PubMed: 26847047
DOI: 10.1007/s00213-016-4218-9 -
Acta Dermato-venereologica Aug 2016The nervous, immune, endocrine and integumentary systems are closely related and interact in a number of normal and pathological conditions. Nervous system mediators may... (Review)
Review
The nervous, immune, endocrine and integumentary systems are closely related and interact in a number of normal and pathological conditions. Nervous system mediators may bring about direct changes to the skin or may induce the release of immunological or hormonal mediators that cause pathological changes to the skin. This article reviews the psychological mechanisms involved in the development of skin diseases.
Topics: Dermatology; Humans; Nervous System Physiological Phenomena; Psychoneuroimmunology; Skin Diseases
PubMed: 27282344
DOI: 10.2340/00015555-2376 -
Brain, Behavior, and Immunity Jul 2020The worldwide outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) raises concerns of widespread panic and anxiety in individuals subjected to the real or perceived threat of... (Review)
Review
The worldwide outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) raises concerns of widespread panic and anxiety in individuals subjected to the real or perceived threat of the virus. Compared to general populations, patients who are institutionalized in a closed unit are also very vulnerable to COVID-19 infection and complications. This crisis touched on difficult issues of not only psychiatric care and ethics, but also psychological impacts to psychiatric care givers. In this Viewpoint, we address both physical and biopsychosocial aspects of this infection, as well as the psychoneuroimmunity of preventive strategies of healthy lifestyle, regular exercise, balanced nutrition, quality sleep and a strong connection with people. Social distancing and wearing masks might help us from pathogen exposure, yet such these measures also prevent us from expressing compassion and friendliness. Therefore, all forms of psychological support should be routinely implemented not only to consider psychological resilience but also to enhance psychoneuroimmunity against COVID-19.
Topics: Betacoronavirus; COVID-19; Coronavirus Infections; Diet, Healthy; Exercise; Healthy Lifestyle; Humans; Masks; Mental Disorders; Pandemics; Pneumonia, Viral; Psychoneuroimmunology; Resilience, Psychological; SARS-CoV-2; Sleep; Social Behavior; Social Support; Stress, Psychological
PubMed: 32234338
DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2020.03.025 -
Acta Dermato-venereologica Aug 2016Psychodermatology is a relatively new field of medicine. It encompasses the interaction of mind and skin. The role of psychoneuroimmunology in the causation of... (Review)
Review
Psychodermatology is a relatively new field of medicine. It encompasses the interaction of mind and skin. The role of psychoneuroimmunology in the causation of psychocutaneous disorders and psychosocial aspects of skin disease have gained momentum lately. The treatment of psychodermatological disorders focus on improving function, reducing physical distress, diagnosing and treating depression and anxiety associated with skin disease, managing social isolation and improving self esteem of the patient. Both pharmacological and psychological interventions are used in treating psychocutaneous disorders. The interest in Psychodermatology around the world is increasing and there are several organizations holding their regular meetings.
Topics: Dermatology; Humans; Psychophysiologic Disorders; Psychosomatic Medicine; Skin Diseases
PubMed: 27282585
DOI: 10.2340/00015555-2378 -
Brain, Behavior, & Immunity - Health Dec 2022Clinical depression and anxiety are not just national health issues. They are significant global health problems, with a worldwide prevalence of clinical depression...
Clinical depression and anxiety are not just national health issues. They are significant global health problems, with a worldwide prevalence of clinical depression amounting to nearly 4%. Moreover, its prevalence is certainly underreported, particularly since the beginning of the COVID19 pandemic. This suggests that at least 26 million people are sad, fatigued, do not enjoy life, struggle with weight changes and experience suicidal thoughts. This Special Issue provides cutting-edge, new information from laboratories around the world about inflammation and depression. It consists of four review articles and five original research articles.
PubMed: 36561467
DOI: 10.1016/j.bbih.2022.100569 -
Brain, Behavior, and Immunity Jan 2011In this Introduction to the Named Series "Epigenetics, Brain, Behavior, and Immunity" an overview of epigenetics is provided with a consideration of the nature of... (Review)
Review
In this Introduction to the Named Series "Epigenetics, Brain, Behavior, and Immunity" an overview of epigenetics is provided with a consideration of the nature of epigenetic regulation including DNA methylation, histone modification and chromatin re-modeling. Illustrative examples of recent scientific developments are highlighted to demonstrate the influence of epigenetics in areas of research relevant to those who investigate phenomena within the scientific discipline of psychoneuroimmunology. These examples are presented in order to provide a perspective on how epigenetic analysis will add insight into the molecular processes that connect the brain with behavior, neuroendocrine responsivity and immune outcome.
Topics: Adult; Chromatin; DNA Methylation; Epigenomics; Female; Genome, Human; Histones; Humans; Immunity; Nucleosomes; Pregnancy; Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; Protein Processing, Post-Translational; Psychoneuroimmunology; RNA; Stress, Psychological
PubMed: 20832468
DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2010.08.009 -
Brain, Behavior, and Immunity Jul 2020The COVID-19 pandemic has led to high levels of psychological distress in the general public, including symptoms of anxiety and depression. Such distress is associated... (Review)
Review
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to high levels of psychological distress in the general public, including symptoms of anxiety and depression. Such distress is associated with alterations in immune function, including an elevated risk of viral respiratory tract infections. In this light, the possible effects of Ayurveda, a traditional system of medicine promoted by the Indian government as an "immune booster", are examined from the point of view of psychoneuroimmune mechanisms as well as the "meaning response" described by Moerman. It was found that many of the measures advocated in their guidelines could positively influence immunity either by direct effects on symptoms of depression or anxiety, or through their symbolic significance. Therefore, it is possible that such traditional practices could be beneficial both in terms of psychological quality of life, and in terms of moderating the risk of infection.
Topics: Anxiety; Betacoronavirus; COVID-19; Coriandrum; Coronavirus Infections; Cuminum; Curcuma; Depression; Garlic; Guidelines as Topic; Humans; India; Medicine, Ayurvedic; Pandemics; Plant Preparations; Pneumonia, Viral; Psychological Distress; Psychoneuroimmunology; SARS-CoV-2; Spices; Stress, Psychological; Teas, Herbal; Yoga
PubMed: 32334064
DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2020.04.056